Three arrested over store robbery

Photo / Ross Setford

Three men were arrested today by police investigating the aggravated robbery of the One Tree Point store near Ruakaka in Northland last Sunday.

Whangarei officers executed a number of search warrants in their local area and seized stolen tobacco and other property, cannabis they allege was for supply and a 303 calibre rifle.

They took into custody two men, aged 28 and 39.

A 22-year-old was also arrested by West Auckland police in relation to the same robbery.

All three will appear in court today - two in Whangarei and the other in Henderson.

Senior Sergeant Steve Dickson of Whangarei says the police will oppose bail.

Sunday's robbery involved three men thought to have been carrying weapons.

They arrived at the One Tree Point story just before 5pm wearing hooded sweatshirts and threatened the owners.

They left with cigarettes, tobacco products and food.

Detective Sergeant Aaron Crawford said later that the robbers had arrived in a stolen vehicle, which was found abandoned at the Takahiwai Rugby League grounds.

The vehicle had been stolen from the Okara Shopping Centre in Whangarei the previous Friday.