Public Assist In Arrest Of Hamilton Robber

New Zealand Police National News

16 September 2008

16 September 2008

Hamilton Police are commending members of the public who's actions were pivotal in the quick arrest of a man who robbed a city bank this morning.

Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Page of the Hamilton CIB said investigators are still at the Hillcrest branch of the Westpac bank on Cambridge Rd piecing together what happened.

"It appears the man entered the bank about 10.11am, threatened a female teller, indicating he had a gun and demanded she hand over some money.

"After obtaining an amount of cash he has run out of the bank heading towards Masters Ave then on to Mansel Ave," said Mr Page.

As the man fled the bank the alarm was raised. Two members of the public chased the man while a third bystander waved down one of the first responding units, a member of the Waikato Police Dog Section.

"This person pointed in the direction the offender ran, the handler deployed his dog and began tracking and the man was found a short time later in a Mansel Ave property where he handed over a sum of cash to the officer," said Mr Page.

"The man was apprehended within nine minutes of the first call being made to Police."

Mr Page said the combined efforts of members of the public relaying information to the Police Northern Communications Centre and arriving staff, combined with a quick response from city Police resulted in a quick resolution to the incident.

"This is not the first instance of public assistance playing a factor in the apprehension of offenders in Hamilton over recent months and we applaud the actions of those who make the effort to help make their communities safer," he said.

A 40-year-old man is currently being interviewed by Police in connection with this morning's event.

ENDS

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