More icecream thieves appear in court

Four teenagers have appeared in court this week in connection with the theft of dozens of ice creams during an armed hold-up of a west Auckland takeaway outlet last month.

A 15-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy appeared in Waitakere District Court charged with the robbery of Ranui Food Bar and Takeaway Store on May 29.

Two other girls, aged 16 and 17, were charged with robbing the store on two separate occasions.

All four were bailed on strict conditions.

Waitemata police spokesman Kevin Loughlin said the store owner recognised two of the teens from a robbery on New Year's Eve, when, disguised in santa hats, they allegedly stole $200 cash.

An 18-year-old woman was last week remanded in custody over the May robbery.

Mr Loughlin said the five teens left with 60 to 70 icecreams after threatening the owner with a pistol, a knife and hammers.

- NZPA