One of three people who allegedly stole $630,000 worth of jewellery in a smash-and-grab robbery from a store in a Mount Maunganui shopping mall, has made a court appearance in Hamilton.
Te Peeti Malahkai Raki, 18, of Whitiora in Hamilton, appeared in the Hamilton District Court on Monday afternoon.
He is charged with the aggravated robbery of Michael Hill Jewellers Bayfair 'of jewellery of $630,000” on March 19.
Police charging documents allege Raki was armed with a hammer at the time.
The charge comes with a maximum penalty of 14 years jail.
Raki is also charged with the burglary of Kings & Queens Jewellery Bayfair on March 13, and dishonestly taking a Toyota Aqua worth $10,000 from a person in Tauranga the same day.
He was remanded in custody and without plea by Community Magistrate Brenda Midson, to next appear in the Tauranga District Court on Thursday.
In a statement sent to media on Monday afternoon, Acting Detective Sergeant Aaron Williams says Raki was the second person to be arrested in relation to the aggravated robbery.
'Inquiries are continuing into both incidents and further arrests and charges are likely,” says Williams.
Stolen property including rings, clothing, watches and sunglasses have been recovered by police executing search warrants 'at several addresses”.
The 90-second Michael Hill robbery took place about 5.30pm in front of numerous onlookers.
2 comments
Absolute scum.
Posted on 18-04-2023 07:57 | By fair game
He is likely to just get a warning and walk free. What an absolute disgrace and embarrassment to his family. So many people were traumatised by his actions, but I'm sure he doesn't care and finds it amusing. Think I agree with Chris Luxon - 2 years of really hard boot camp at least.
An ARMED ROBBERY
Posted on 18-04-2023 12:29 | By earlybird
in front of numerous citizens deserves an appropriate sentence - not a slap on the wrist.
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