Tribesman faces gun and robbery charges

A 31-year-old man will appear in Manukau District Court today charged with aggravated robbery and illegal possession of firearms.

He is believed to be a member of the Tribesman gang.

His arrest came after police raided Auckland properties yesterday in a search for several people linked to the armed robbery of a Waikato motorcycle shop last week.

Two 750cc motorcycles, a 1973 Triumph and a 1969 BSA Rocket III, with an estimated combined value of $50,000, were found at an Otara property.

They were collectors' items of considerable value, but were not found to be damaged.

Some clothing used by the alleged offenders and a Honda CRX wanted in connection with the robbery were also recovered.

More than 50 staff from the Waikato, Counties Manukau and Waitemata police districts were involved in the search of seven properties in the North Shore and Otara areas, Detective Senior Sergeant Pete Van de Wetering said.

"One property is commonly known to police as a point of gathering for members of the Tribesmen motorcycle gang. The other addresses were private residences."

Police believe last week's incident reinforces their concerns about links between the illicit firearms trade and organised criminal groups.

"We hope today's activities send a clear message to those contemplating similar action that violent crime will not be tolerated in our communities," Mr Van de Wetering said.

"Police have a zero-tolerance approach to organised criminal activity."

The armed offenders squad was used to clear a number of addresses before those properties were searched, as the robbers in last week's raid were armed, he added.

"No shots or distraction devices were fired during the course of securing these properties," Mr Van de Wetering said.

"There is still one Harley-Davidson motorcycle which we'd like to recover. Oneother Harley-Davidson was recovered last week.

"At this stage, it is likely that at least three further people will be arrested. I cannot elaborate on whether that will change over the next few days, or whether those names are made public prior to their arrests."

Last Tuesday, police arrested and charged a man with robbery after an armed stand-off, which followed the theft by a group of men of four motorcycles, helmets and a variety of motorcycle-related clothing from Affordable Customs Cycles in Kihikihi, near Te Awamutu, on the morning of July 28.

One of the motorcycles was estimated to be valued at $60,000.

- NZPA