Final gang fugitive collared

Aramoana Kara. Photo / Supplied

Armed police have caught the last fugitive in an organised gang believed to have stolen hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and jewellery in a string of armed raids across greater Auckland.

Counties Manukau and Auckland police formed Operation King to investigate 10 aggravated robberies on security guards collecting bank money, a jewellery store, a bar and two home invasions where families were threatened with guns.

An arrest warrant was issued for Aramoana Vegas Kara this month and he was caught near Matamata with help from the Waikato armed offenders squad on Friday.

The 26-year-old appeared in the Auckland District Court yesterday charged with two aggravated robberies and the unlawful taking of a motor vehicle used as a getaway car.

He was denied bail and will reappear in court next month.

John Koteka, Perry Bristow, Koru Putua and another man with name suppression have also been charged with aggravated robbery.

Police declined to comment as the matters are before the courts, but have previously said the robberies were highly organised and planned in advance.

Two security guards were held up by two men, one wielding a shotgun, while refilling a Kiwibank ATM in Mission Bay last month.

A second robbery two days later targeted Armourguard security guards outside the Royal Oak Pak 'N Save.

At the time, Detective Inspector Mark Gutry said the accused would usually arrive and leave the scene in a stolen car which was later found dumped.