Dairy armed robbery: Two men charged

Police outside the Sunset Pricecutter Superette tonight Photo/Ben Fraser

Two men are due in the Rotorua District Court today for the aggravated robbery of Sunset Pricecutter last night.

A Rotorua police spokeswoman said thanks to the assistance of some vigilant members of the public, two men were arrested and charged in the early hours of the morning.

A pistol was brandished during the robbery, which happened around 6.10pm, and the two offenders stole cigarettes and cash.

"An audible alarm set off by the shop owner drew the attention of local community and we swiftly received some very good information about a suspect vehicle," the spokeswoman said.

The Armed Offenders Squad helped carry out a search warrant at an address on Malfroy Rd where police found the vehicle believed to have been used in the robbery.

They arrested a 23-year-old man. A short-time later we arrested a 22-year-old man at another Rotorua address.

Cash, cigarettes and a firearm have been recovered.

Sunset Pricecutter owner Milesh Kumar told the Rotorua Daily Post it was a relief to hear there had been arrests made.

"It puts a bit of ease in the mind, knowing they are behind bars," he said.