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A 59-year-old West Coast man will appear in Greymouth District Court today after allegedly robbing the ASB Greymouth bank and leading police on a 160km chase.
The man was stopped by road spikes and arrested by armed police south of Westport after allegedly robbing the bank about 3.30pm yesterday.
Police said bank staff handed over more than $6000 to the man, thinking he had a gun concealed beneath a blanket.
The police armed offenders squad (AOS) was deployed in the chase which ended about 5.20pm.
The 59-year-old from Dobson was charged with aggravated robbery, failing to stop for police and dangerous driving.
Police said the man, a regular bank customer, was believed to have mental health issues.
- NZPA
