Youth gang linked to knife-point robbery

Wellington police suspect members of a youth gang are behind a robbery in which a bus driver had a knife held to his throat.

The incident on December 30 at the Miramar terminus in Darlington Rd was the first of two aggravated robberies in the suburb in two days.

Early on Sunday morning a man with a gun held up a taxi driver.

Detective Sergeant Tim Leitch said police were still hunting those responsible for both aggravated robberies.

On Sunday night police named a man being sought in connection with the latest incident as Clem William Edwards.

Mr Leitch said "good information and a couple of lucky breaks" had led to Edwards, who had recently moved to the area, being identified.

Police had also yet to speak to a woman passenger, who was dropped off in Miramar before the robbery, which occurred in Tauhinu Rd.

Edwards is described as a 19-year-old Maori, 180cm to 185cm tall, of medium to solid build, with "wispy facial hair".

Mr Leitch said the two youthful offenders who carried out the December 30 robbery had disguised themselves with blue and white bandanas, which were associated with the Dark Syde youth gang.

"We don't know if these people were gang members but it's a distinct possibility," he said.

Over the past few months, Wellington has been increasingly plagued by violent attacks, burglaries and robberies by gangs such as the Strathmore 44s and the Dark Syde (which is linked to Black Power).

In October it was revealed two 12-year-old girls affiliated with the Dark Syde had been extorting hundreds of dollars from fellow pupils at a Wellington intermediate school.

- NZPA