10.13am: A 24-years-old Tauranga man who appeared in court today charged in relation to two recent knifepoint robberies remains behind bars while police inquiries continue.
Tyson Tama Taki, 24, faced two counts of aggravated robbery and a charge of intentionally damaging a sprinkler system in a police cell, when he appeared in Tauranga District Court today.
The first of the armed robberies is alleged to been committed at Aussie Butcher in Gate Pa shopping centre on August 17.
Taki is also accused of robbing the owner of Mags, Cards and Lotto store on August 22.
During both robberies it is alleged Taki stole sums of cash.
Police opposed bail, but Taki did not make a bail application today and he was remanded in custody without entering pleas by Judge Ruth to enable him to seek further legal advice.
Taki is due back in court on September 10.