Armed police arrest bank robbery suspect

File photo / Bay of Plenty Times

Armed police have arrested a man after a robbery at an ANZ bank in Palmerston North.

Police said a man entered the bank with a long-barrelled gun and threatened a number of tellers before leaving with cash.

Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Sheridan said good descriptions of the robber provided by members of the public helped officers spot the man in a maroon car.

The robber was then seen running from the car into a Hulme Street house.

Armed police and police dogs were called to the scene and a man was taken for questioning at Palmerston North Police Station.

Mr Sheridan said a small fire had been started within the property and was extinguished by police.

It is not known if the man taken into custody had any association with the house.

Police said they were looking into the possibility that the robbery was linked to one at the same ANZ branch earlier in the month.

"Today will be very busy interviewing all the witnesses in and around the bank, and conducting examinations of the bank, the vehicle and the house," Mr Sheridan said.

"It is important to make mention of those members of the public who alerted us so quickly to the robbery, and who provided us with description details that proved invaluable."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Palmerston North Police on 06 351 3600 or the Crime Line on 0800 808585.

- NZHERALD STAFF