Public Assistance Praised

Counties Manukau Police are praising the efforts of a member of the public who assisted Police to locate a man who robbed a Manurewa liquor store yesterday afternoon.

At about 3pm on Tuesday, April 13, 2010, a man entered Sharland Liquor store in Sharland Avenue, Manurewa.

"The offender requested some items that were behind the counter. These items were scanned by the store owner and put onto the service counter," Counties Manukau Detective Senior Sergeant Jason Malcolm said.

"The offender then produced a knife and threatened the store owner before leaving with a packet of tobacco."

"A member of the public followed him into a nearby street where he was located a short time later by Police."

A 21 year old man will appear in the Manukau District Court today charged with aggravated robbery.

"It's great to see another example of the community working together with the police," Manurewa Area Commander, Inspector Alan Shearer said.

"In this instance the witness followed the offender at a safe distance and was therefore able to provide valuable information to police without compromising his own safety."