Girls arrested for knife-point robbery

Photo / Martin Sykes

Two girls, aged 13 and 16, have been arrested after a Wanganui dairy was robbed at knife-point.

The robbery happened as the dairy was closing shortly before 6pm yesterday, central district police communications manager Kim Perks said.

Both girls entered the shop with their faces covered and armed with knives, demanding money from the 46-year-old woman owner, who was alone in the shop.

While one of the girls grabbed the woman, the other took tobacco from a shelf and tried to open the till, Ms Perks said. As the woman struggled with her attacker, she was able to activate a panic alarm and the pair fled.

The arrests were made this afternoon.

The older girl had been charged with aggravated robbery and would appear in Wanganui District Court tomorrow, Ms Perks said.

The 13-year-old was referred to Youth Aid.

- NZPA