UPDATED 2.15PM: A member of the public was stabbed by one of the teenage offenders who attempted to rob AJs Lotto in the Tauranga CBD this afternoon.
A police spokesperson confirms the two offenders threatened the shop owner with weapons and were captured by two members of the public after they fled the Devonport Road store at about 1pm.
Two offenders were arrested following an armed robbery in the CBD this afternoon. Photos: David Tauranga.
'Police arrived on the scene to find the offenders being restrained on the ground. Two people have been arrested and taken to the Tauranga Police station for questioning and are helping police with their inquiries.
'We understand it was one of the good Samaritans who received minor injuries. They have a minor stab wound and are in hospital receiving treatment.”
Earlier:
Two people are in police custody following an armed robbery in the Tauranga CBD this afternoon.
A reporter at the scene says two offenders are believed to have robbed a store at knifepoint.
Police on the corner of The Strand and Devonport Road. Photos: David Tauranga.
"There were two offenders, believed to be teenage boys. Five police cars are at the scene.
"One of the alleged offenders is believed to have been apprehended by members of the public prior to police arrival. The robbery is believed to have been at AJs Lotto on Devonport Road. The other was apprehended a short time later.
"Police are speaking with the owners.
"An ambulance was also called to the scene."
We will bring you more information soon.
At the scene?
Call 0800 SUNLIVE or email photos to newsroom@thesun.co.nz
17 comments
What's wtong
Posted on 29-09-2016 13:49 | By Hot stuff
With young people these days. How thick can they be and they have no respect . Even with a knife an armed hold up must be horrible to go through . Hope the judge throws the book at them but I doubt it will happen .Good job to the police .
What will be the result?
Posted on 29-09-2016 14:24 | By BullShtAlert
Family group conference? Community service? Diversion? Bail? Nothing?
Well done
Posted on 29-09-2016 14:55 | By astex
Excellent job by the good samaritans. Hope the wound is not too serious. This should send a message to the thugs in society that we have all had enough and will no longer stand idly by.
Hmmmm
Posted on 29-09-2016 15:13 | By How about this view!
Another CBD incident. We have lost the CBD to the scum of our community and no amount of goodwill or "Heart of the city" planning is going to reverse the situation. We need a bylaw enabling a trespass notice to be issued against known losers and it needs to be enforced with the use of an expanded CCTV network and police support.
starts at school
Posted on 29-09-2016 16:46 | By Higgs Boson
As a school teacher we get spat at threatened, verbally and physically abused and nothing happens because if we suspend it looks bad on the school. The students know there are no consequences for their actions. There is no wonder they feel the same on the streets when the worst they get is the wet bus ticket. We are knackered until we have consequence that match the crime. Tie this scum bag up outside the victims home for the night and come pick up the bits in the morning. I get yr 9 boys threaten to smash me, when asked why they say because they can get away with it. Go figure. Were knackered.
Iknow
Posted on 29-09-2016 17:14 | By maildrop
If only these dumbass people had the brain cells to reach such conclusions. Unfortunately Bullshtalert has the situation summed up and shows why these bozos do this - the criminal justice system is a joke and they know it. Maybe they have more brain cells than I gave them credit for?! Maybe they are promising rugby players too? I look forward to Crusher Collins saying this is a priority - joke system. Broken. We are all victims.
sick of it
Posted on 29-09-2016 17:36 | By sharon69nz
i would like to know how old the teenagers are, my 14 year old was stabbed at school and the thug got away scott free because he was only 13 and by law under 14 yrs nothing can be done. the police were great but by law they couldn't do anything i think it is about time the law needs to be changed for serious offences. My son was left with four stitches to his ear and one to the head behind the ear and has to live with the memories and the thug gets away laughing
Jerks
Posted on 29-09-2016 19:17 | By The Sage
They will appear in the Youth Court and be free to do it again.
Let the punishment fit the crime!
Posted on 29-09-2016 20:00 | By Ben Dover
This was a serious violent crime so for Gods sake lets have a Judge with some sense of justice for the community who is not frightened to dish out the appropriate sentence if they are found guilty!
Well
Posted on 29-09-2016 20:28 | By NZgirl
the kids are 13 and 14 will it go to court?
Punishment
Posted on 29-09-2016 23:45 | By OAP
Now we just need a judge with enough courage to throw the book at them!
One way to get results!
Posted on 30-09-2016 08:57 | By bryceh
Hold the parents or caregivers to account! If brats are underage, then go the people who have been "given" the opportunity to love, care for and protect these kids. It is their responsibility! The kids obviously have a shit load of respect for their parents! Throw the parents in jail for a few months, and see what attitude the brats have then!
Remove the cause.
Posted on 30-09-2016 09:19 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
Agree with all. If the shop had a "No Cash" eftpos only policy, plus removed the cigarettes there would be very little point holding the place up. A few sweets maybe? A notice outside the store with this would be enough to put them off.
And another
Posted on 30-09-2016 11:40 | By The Caveman
WET BUS TICKET to follow . . . .??
Bring back..
Posted on 30-09-2016 12:23 | By Me again
Boot camps I reckon.And for both parents of these ratbags and them. Two years.Come on lawyers, judges and Miss Collins Tough in up.
here we go again
Posted on 01-10-2016 15:48 | By old trucker
Name and SHAME them,Hangon,they are just being kids (NOT)name the parents and where they live,this is not fair,bring back the CANE AND STRAP,Hangon that would hurt them,Lockem up with the BIG BOYS,my sixpence worth,Thanks No1.
Convict ....
Posted on 02-10-2016 21:16 | By GreertonBoy
The parents if the 'children' are out of reach of the law? Give the parents the right to forfeit their guardianship of the little thugs to the government if the parents would rather not do the time for their child's crime... that might wipe the smile off their(the child's) arrogant little mugs? Something needs to be done!
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