Rotorua Police make arrests in Gull Service Station aggravated robbery

Rotorua Police have arrested two teenagers in connection to the aggravated robbery of the Gull Service Station in Rotorua last Friday.

Detective Sergeant George Staunton of the Rotorua CIB says a 14 year old male and a 15 year old male will be appearing in the Rotorua Youth Court tomorrow.

"We are really pleased with the number of people who came forward with information after this matter appeared in the media."

The weapon used in the aggravated robbery has also been recovered by Police.

Detective Sergeant Staunton says investigations are ongoing into relation to the other robberies and Police still need help from the public.

Those incidents include a robbery about 3pm last Thursday (24 May), where a Kawerau man was parked near Curtis Rd, near Tikitere, when he was accosted from behind by two males. The men stole the contents of the victim's wallet before driving off towards Lake Rotoma, in a silvery/brown Nissan Skyline.

Around 7pm on Sunday 27 May, a male wearing a balaclava with his eyes revealed, entered the Koutu Rd Four Square armed with a knife. The offender removed a till, however before leaving the shop he was confronted by the shop owner who struck the robber across the head with a mop, forcing the offender to leave empty-handed.

Another aggravated robbery occurred around 7:30pm on Monday 28 May, where two males brandishing knives entered the King Dragon Takeaway store situated at the Owhata Shops, demanding money. The owners picked up a pot and a chair and told the two offenders to leave. They then left running out onto Te Ngae Rd, heading east.

Anyone with any information on these three incidents should phone Rotorua Police on (07) 349 9400 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.