A man sought following robberies of Post Shops and banks in Auckland, Hamilton and Katikati surrendered himself at an Auckland McDonald's last night.
Detective Sergeant Geoff Baber of the Avondale CIB said Steven Kurt Peri was spotted by a patrol car walking along Karangahape Road about 8.20pm.
When
he tried to run away he was cut off by the officers in the car.
He then collided with the car, flipped over the bonnet, landed on his feet and kept running.
Police put cordons around the Karangahape and Newton Rd areas but failed to find him.
Then, about 9pm, police were sitting in the carpark of McDonald's on Great North Rd when Peri walked out of the fast-food restaurant with his hands in the air.
"We were sitting there annoyed at ourselves for letting him get away then there he was. We had a bit of a laugh," Mr Baber said.
"He thought we were there to get him so he came out of McDonald's so he didn't cause a scene inside."
Peri, 28, will appear in Auckland District Court today on four charges of aggravated robbery.
Police are yet to decide if they will lay charges for two robberies in Hamilton and Katikati in the Bay of Plenty. He had been named as a suspect by officers hunting for him.
Peri allegedly handed notes demanding money to tellers and advised them he had a gun which he was prepared to use.
He had earlier refused appeals from his mother and police to turn himself in.
Mr Baber earlier yesterday said police had the "unusual" opportunity to speak with Peri last week by phone when they asked him to come and talk about the robberies.
"He was told the same by his mother who resides in Canada and he said he would come in with a lawyer. However, he has refused to say who his lawyer is."
Peri's mother had not spoken to her son during the weekend but was worried about him, Mr Baber said.
"She's obviously concerned about her son."
