Police release new image of bank robbery suspect

Police investigating a spate of bank robberies are asking anyone who recognises this man to contact them.

Police hope this new clear image of a man they wish to question over a spate of bank robberies will prompt someone to reveal his identity.

The images, caught on a security camera at the ASB bank in Pt Chevalier, were taken on Friday shortly after the man tried, unsuccessfully, to rob the BNZ at Auckland Airport.

Constable Neil Hilton said the man walked into the Pt Chev bank and stood patiently in the queue before asking the teller for the forms to open a cheque account.

He then left without opening the account.

It is not known if the man, who is wanted in connection with 13 robberies in the Central Auckland/West Auckland areas, had planned to rob the ASB or whether he was genuinely trying to open an account.

What detectives do know is that the man left the bank and headed to the ASB in Dominion Rd, where he attempted his second unsuccessful robbery of the day.

Frustrated, he then headed to the Royal Oak Post Shop, where he finally escaped with an undisclosed amount of money.

Mr Hilton said staff at the Pt Chev ASB contacted police after recognising the man from pictures in the media.

The Weekend Herald ran a front-page report on Saturday about the spate of bank robberies, alongside several security images of the man.

While the images were clear, they all showed the man wearing a hat - usually a floppy sunhat - which disguised him to some extent.

Police hope this new image, showing the man without his hat, will prompt someone to identify him.

Detective Sergeant Andy King said the robber is becoming more and more aggressive with each robbery he attempts.

On Friday, the robber showed a firearm on three occasions and made serious threats to the tellers he was trying to rob.

Police are concerned the man will eventually use his gun.

Mr King said the man might be working with one or more people and police would like to hear from anyone with any information. A hotline number has been set up.

The man often wears three-quarter length pants and a cream and brown checked long-sleeved shirt and carries a blue zip satchel.

He usually waits in the queue before handing the teller a note saying he has a gun and wants money.

Police hotline

0508 QUAVER or 0508 782-837