"Tauranga bank robbery arrest"

To be attributed to Acting Inspector Phil Gillbanks, Area Prevention Manager, Tauranga

A 21-year-old man has been arrested following a robbery at the ANZ Bank on 11th Avenue in Tauranga that occurred at 10.40am today.

He has been charged with aggravated robbery and is due to appear in the Tauranga District Court on Thursday 12th July.

The offender allegedly entered the bank armed with a knife and, after jumping the bank counter, took a significant amount of cash.

There were a number of staff and customers in the bank at the time.

The offender fled on foot across 11th Avenue and down Christopher Street.

He was not located at the time.

One and a half hours later the offender was caught emerging from a bush reserve by a passing patrol car.

A Police dog and handler tracked the male to an area nearby where they found clothing items and a bag containing the stolen cash.

Police are still seeking any witnesses to the robbery and would also like to hear from anyone who saw anybody acting suspiciously in the 11th Avenue/Waihi Road and Christopher Street area between 10am and 1pm today.

ENDS

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