Man nabbed as police swoop after dairy robbed

The offender is described as stocky, wore a grey hoodie, blue track pants and bare feet. Photo / File

A man who robbed a Kaikohe dairy at knifepoint was caught by police as he tried to flee across farmland on the outskirts of town.

The 23-year-old allegedly demanded cash and pointed a knife at staff at the East End Dairy on lower Broadway about 7.50am yesterday, then fled on foot with money from the till.

He was last seen running across paddocks towards Reservoir Rd on the eastern edge of town.

Police descended on the area, with a local resident saying officers were stationed on Guy Rd, Reservoir Rd, Heke St, Hongi St and Wihongi St while others, aided by a police tracking dog, searched farmland off Reservoir Rd. The last she saw was when the officers disappeared into a stand of totara about 9.30am; moments later they left with a man in the back of a police car. An ambulance was brought in as a precaution.

Senior Sergeant Brian Swann, of Kaikohe police, said a 23-year-old man was arrested. The cash and a knife thought to have been used in the alleged robbery were recovered.

"Not bad for a morning's work," he said.

The man appeared in the Kaikohe District Court yesterday charged with aggravated robbery.

Northland police spokeswoman Sarah Kennett said the dog handler happened to be in the area at the time. While the dog was a seasoned professional, it was the handler's first time in the role. She urged anyone who witnessed the robbery or saw the man fleeing to call police on (09) 405 2960. He is described as stocky, wore a grey hoodie, blue track pants and bare feet.