Smith Court appearance

Christopher Smith, 33 of Howick, arrested this morning in New Plymouth, will appear in the New Plymouth District Court this afternoon where he will be charged with:

Aggravated Robbery
Aggravated Wounding
The commission of a crime with a firearm

All charges relate to the robbery on June 5 of the Bucklands Beach Superette. Police will seek a two week remand and a transfer of proceedings to the Manukau District Court.

Public help leads to arrest

Police appeals to the public yesterday for information about the whereabouts of Christopher Robert Smith paid off today.

Smith was arrested in New Plymouth at about 7.20 this morning by Armed Offenders Squad members who assisted local and some Auckland Police officers.

No one was injured during the arrest and no shots were fired but a weapon was recovered from the New Plymouth address. No one else was arrested.

Mr Smith is currently helping Counties/Manukau and Auckland City District Police with their respective inquiries into the aggravated robbery of the Bucklands Beach Superette on June 5 and the murder of Bhagubhai Vaghela at the Uptown Minimart, Eden Terrace, on June 19.

Detective Inspector Bernie Hollewand, officer in charge of the homicide investigation, said he was very appreciative of the public assistance.

"We have by no means solved our murder investigation - far from it - but we're heartened by the support signalled by Mr Smith's arrest. We're still trying to identify the man who robbed - at gunpoint - the Parkside Dairy on Queen St, Pukekohe on June 10. "

Anyone with information about who that offender might be or with information that might assist the homicide investigation should call 0800 736 325.

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