Mobility device helps Police nab robber

Canterbury, 10 October 2013 - Christchurch Police's new mobility devices played a big part in the arrest of a suspect following an aggravated robbery in the city yesterday [Wednesday 9 October].

Police were called to the Bealey Ave Food Market at around 9.45am yesterday after it was robbed by a woman armed with a knife.

Detective Senior Sergeant Brian Archer says the woman entered the store carrying a knife and demanded money.

"She jumped across the counter and confronted the owner of the store, then opened the till and stole a sum of cash before making off on foot.

"Officers who attended the scene were able to retrieve a photo of the alleged offender from the store's security camera system, and this was immediately emailed out to staff who were on cordon duty and making enquiries in the area.

"A couple of officers were doing a door-knock at a nearby address about 40 minutes after the incident when the suspect walked past.

"They recognised her from the photo they'd received on their iPhones, and she was arrested immediately without incident."

A 27-year old Christchurch woman appeared in court yesterday charged with aggravated robbery. She has been remanded in custody to reappear on 21 October.

Detective Senior Sergeant Archer says the shop owner, who was alone in the store at the time of the incident, was not injured.

ENDS

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