Alleged teen robber fled dairy in taxi

File photo / NZ Herald

A teenager who allegedly held up a dairy with a pistol yesterday fled empty-handed in a taxi.

Taukiri Manuell, 19, was found in a nearby Christchurch house by the armed police last night and arrested.

He appeared from custody at Christchurch District Court this morning, charged with intent to rob Beachcomber Dairy in New Brighton armed with a .22 calibre pistol.

The female dairy owner was not harmed in the indent, police say.

Manuell was traced to an Aranui property by Armed Offenders Squad officers.

Defence counsel Nick Rout this morning asked that Manuell be granted bail. Police prosecutor sergeant Fiona Roberts, however, opposed letting him out of custody.

Judge Brian Callaghan agreed with police and denied Manuell bail, saying it was a "serious offence". The judge also suppressed the reasons for denying bail and details of the case outlined to the court.

Manuell will be back on court on July 7.