Bank robber may have gambled money away

The money stolen in a bank robbery in Auckland's North Shore may have all been lost in a gambling spree.

Police today arrested a 27-year-old man following the robbery of the Albany branch of ANZ Bank on Mercari Way yesterday afternoon.

He appeared in North Shore District Court today charged with robbery. He was remanded in custody for a psychiatric assessment and will reappear on July 31.

Detective Sergeant Scott Armstrong said the 27-year-old man handed himself into Auckland police, and was subsequently arrested by North Shore police today.

Mr Armstrong said none of the money taken in the robbery had been recovered, and it was unlikely any would be given the activity the man engaged in after the robbery.

"We believe he's gambled the money away," he told NZPA. He would not give any more details where the money was gambled.

Police said the Albany ANZ Bank was robbed by a man who demanded cash and inferred that he was in possession of a firearm.

- NZPA