A Tauranga man accused of committing three armed hold-ups, including wielding a hammer at a Greerton Lotto shop assistant, before making off with cash, is behind bars.

Thomas Awhio Te Pere, 33, faced three charges of aggravated robbery and one charge of possession of a drug utensil when he appeared in Tauranga District Court today.

The first aggravated robbery charge related to an allegation that Te Pere robbed the Cameronian Dairy on July 18, and the next day held-up the 14th Avenue Dairy.

He is also accused of brandishing a claw hammer at a Greerton Lotto shop assistant about 11am yesterday before making off with cash from the till.

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Police opposed bail.

Te Pere did not seek bail when he appeared before Judge Stephen Coyle, and the judge remanded him in custody to next appear in the same court on August 8.

No pleas to the charges have yet been entered.