Widespread publicity and help from the public have led to the arrest of a 29-year-old man in connection with a spate of Auckland bank robberies.
Police received information about the man's identity after people saw his image in the Herald and on the television news, Detective Sergeant Andy King said.
Officers appealed for public help after two attempted robberies on Friday afternoon at the Auckland Airport BNZ and Dominion Rd ASB and a successful raid on the Royal Oak Post Shop.
On Saturday, the Weekend Herald reported that police were concerned the man, who was also being sought in connection with 10 other central Auckland robberies, was becoming increasingly agitated with each incident and might use his gun.
Staff at another bank recognised him after seeing his picture in Saturday's paper. They were able to provide police with an even clearer image of his face, and publication of that image was enough for members of the public to recognise him.
Yesterday, police followed up on tipoffs from the public by conducting a search warrant at a central Auckland address.
Last night, after questioning a beneficiary, they charged him with two counts of assault with intent to rob and one of aggravated robbery.
The assault-with-intent-to-rob charges relate to the attempted robberies at the BNZ and ASB. The third charge is in relation to the Post Shop robbery, in which money was taken at gunpoint.
The charged man is due to appear in the Auckland District Court today when police will seek a two-week remand in custody. Further charges are expected to follow.
Mr King said police were pleased to have made an arrest in the case, which dates back to October.
Ross McEwan, head of retail banking and marketing at the ASB, said the bank had been told a man had been apprehended.
He said security was an ongoing issue at the ASB, branches of which had been targeted in six of the 13 raids.
Beneficiary arrested over series of bank robberies
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