Police Ten 7 cameras roll on robberies

Police Ten 7 film at Jerams' Superette yesterday for this Thursday's programme. Presenter Graham Bell is here with Rotorua police Detective Karin Staunton, who is leading the robberies investigation. Photo/Stephen Parker

Rotorua police hope viewers of this week's Police Ten 7 hold the key to solving two recent aggravated robberies.

The TV2 programme's crew was in Rotorua yesterday filming a segment of this Thursday's show. The aggravated robberies at Jerams' Superette and St Andrew's Superette last month are a main feature of the programme with police focused on the whereabouts of two vehicles they believe were used.

Rotorua police Detective Karin Staunton said the focus of the investigation was on the movement of two stolen vehicles - a silver Mazda Familia and a red Mazda MPV - and their occupants.

"The Familia was stolen in Auckland on the Thursday and we're looking for its movements from Auckland to Rotorua and also its movements in and around the Rotorua area, from Friday through to the Sunday. The vehicle could well have been parked up or hidden in the Te Ngae area when it was not being used."

She said the vehicle was later abandoned on Sunday afternoon in Ti St following the robbery of the St Andrew's Superette.

"The cash register stolen in one of the robberies has not been located and police would like to hear from anyone who can offer information in relation to its whereabouts.

"While we've arrested five people for unrelated offences, we have recovered some items from the stolen vehicles providing links from this group to the robberies. Charges are yet to be laid for these crimes."

Jerams' Superette, at Hannah's Bay, was robbed on Saturday, May 24 and St Andrew's Superette, in Otonga Rd, on Sunday, May 25. Three children were in Jerams' at the time it was targeted by three men, one armed with an axe.

Police Ten 7 presenter, retired detective inspector Graham Bell, said the programme had this season experienced a "very high strike rate".

"People get indignant about this sort of crime," he said.

"This was a particularly bad robbery where three kids, who were customers, were terrified. The offenders monstered the store owner and his family. It shows what cowardly thugs they are." Anyone with information can call Rotorua police on (07) 348 0099, or anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Police Ten 7 screens on Thursday at 7.30pm.