Police raids after armed robberies: 16-year-old arrested

Police released photos, including this one of the Otahuhu TAB being robbed, as they investigated a series of robberies in south Auckland. Photo / supplied

Police investigating a series of armed robberies in South Auckland arrested a 16-year-old boy today.

Several properties were raided by Counties Manukau police yesterday morning and a number of people were being questioned last night.

A large number of police were involved in the raids but the Armed Offenders Squad wasn't believed to have been used.

Police spokeswoman Natalie Swart said the 16-year-old would be appearing in the Manukau Youth Court today facing charges in relation to five of the seven robberies.

She said police believe all the robberies are linked.

The Herald understands a distinctive World War Two-era rifle used in many of the robberies, and which featured in public appeals to catch the robbers, has not been recovered.

Police believed a gang of heavily armed people were behind seven aggravated robberies in South Auckland in June and July. In each case the thieves were heavily disguised and used a variety of weapons, including the Lee Enfield rifle, a black pistol, a knife and a small axe.

No-one was hurt during the robberies but police were concerned someone could be injured, or even killed, if they didn't stop. It's believed the robbers got away with thousands of dollars.

A public appeal for information was launched after the last robbery in East Tamaki on July 14. It isn't known whether a tip-off led to yesterday's raids, which occurred in the same part of the city as the robberies.

One victim, Ramona Loto, 46, thought she was going to die when a gunman confronted her at Otahuhu's Gracie's Place on June 27. She pleaded with him not to hurt her as he prodded her with the rifle.

"I did say to him, 'don't hurt anyone. I've got kids and I want to see my babies'. He just picked me up by my jumper and said: 'Open everything and give us the money'.''

Ms Loto returned to work after the robbery because she didn't want to let the incident get the better of her. She wanted the culprits caught before anyone was hurt.

"They might use that rifle that's what I'm afraid of.''

Details of the robberies:

* June 14 at the TAB in Otahuhu

* June 22 at KiwiBank, Dawson Road, Otara

* June 23 at Kiwi Bank, Great South Road, Otahuhu

* June 27at Gracie's Place on Queen Street, Otahuhu

* July 2 at the TAB on Ormiston Road, East Tamaki

* July 7 at the Wanderers Bar in East Tamaki

* July 14 at the Junction Bar, Springs Road, East Tamaki

- NZ Herald staff