Man arrested over nailgun robbery of dairy

File photo / NZ Herald

A man who allegedly threatened a dairy owner with a nailgun in West Auckland was arrested last night.

The offender allegedly entered the Glen Eden dairy at around 8.30pm and demanded money while threatening the owner with a nailgun before fleeing in a vehicle, police said.

A member of the public witnessed the event and tipped off police.

Police officers managed to stop the vehicle on Victor St in Avondale but, as officers got out of the patrol car, the driver drove away and a pursuit was initiated.

The fleeing driver was alleged to have travelled down Great North Rd, Roberton Rd and Henry St before driving back to Great North Rd.

Detectives from the Waitakere CIB laid road spikes on Ash St and the car was successfully stopped after hitting the spikes shortly after.

Waitakere Detective Sergeant Nick Salter said public input was what led to the successful catch.

"The apprehension was the result of a great team effort between Police and the public. The person who called us with the details of the vehicle allowed us to quickly locate and move in on the car," he said.

"We were then able to coordinate our officers and CIB staff and this enabled us to successfully spike the car."

A 21-year-old man had since been charged with assault with intent to rob, failing to stop, operating a motorvehicle recklessly and driving whilst prohibited.

He would reappear in the Waitakere District Court on May 12.