Robbery accused on bail

Lenz Superette. Photo / BPT

The Tauranga man accused of holding up the Lenz Superette with a pistol has been released on bail after appearing in court.

Welder Brett Robert Heginbotham, 28, of Bethlehem, faced a charge of aggravated robbery when he appeared before Community Magistrate Lesley Jensen in Tauranga District Court on Saturday.

Police allege Heginbotham entered the dairy just before 5pm, demanded money but left the dairy with only an armful of cigarettes before speeding away in a white vehicle.

Armed police arrested Heginbotham at the Cobblestone Court Motel on Chapel Street about 30 minutes later, after members of the public reported seeing a suspicious vehicle in the city centre.

Heginbotham was not a guest at the motel.

Inspector Clifford Paxton said the occupants of the dairy hid at the back of the store until the offender left and were unharmed.

He confirmed a firearm was located.

Police did not oppose Heginbotham being granted bail but sought a number of strict conditions.

Mrs Jensen remanded Heginbotham on bail subject to a nightly curfew, a ban on him associating with a number of people, including the store owner, and he was also barred from going to Lenz Superette.

Heginbotham, who is yet to enter a plea to the charge, is due back in court this Thursday.