Whangarei man linked to Solway hold-up

Masterton police Detective Sergeant Barry Bysouth said inquiries revealed another person was involved in the attempted robbery.

A Whangarei man has been charged with being party to the hold-up of a Masterton service station.

Himiona Taura Hetet-Peneha, 26, from Whangarei, appeared in the Masterton District Court on Thursday, facing a charge of assault with intent to rob with a weapon, which carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison. Co-offender Maia Rongonui, 24, from Masterton, was arrested by police in Napier on November 25, and charged with assault with intent to rob with a firearm.

Rongonui is accused of going into the Solway Caltex service station on November 11, just after 9.30pm, wearing a Halloween mask and brandishing a sawn-off shotgun.

It is alleged he aimed the single-barrel shotgun at the woman teller, who was the only worker at the time, and repeatedly demanded cash. She had refused to hand over money and he had eventually given up and left empty handed.

Rongonui will appear in the Napier District Court on December 11.

Detective Sergeant Barry Bysouth said further police inquiries had indicated another person was involved in the attempted robbery.

"Evidence has been collated against that person [Hetet-Peneha] who has now been charged as a party to the assault with intent to rob with a weapon and this matter is now before the courts." Mr Bysouth would not comment further on the details of Hetet-Peneha's alleged involvement.

Defence lawyer James Elliot did not apply for bail and Hetet-Peneha was remanded in custody by Judge Tony Walsh until December 10.