A Bay of Plenty man who allegedly sparked a major armed offenders squad callout north of Taupo has denied a raft of offences, including brandishing a firearm at a police constable.
Te Morehu Enoka, 27, from Rangiuru who appeared in the District Court at Tauranga by audio-visual link today, has denied 23 charges.
The offences were allegedly committed in Tauranga, Papamoa, Oropi, Te Puke, Rangiuru, Pongakawa, Rotorua, Whakatane, Tokoroa and Taupo between April 29 and May 24.
That included aggravated robbery of the Paengaroa Liquor Store on May 14 during which he allegedly caused grievous bodily harm to the store assistant.
Enoka also denied nine charges of theft of petrol, seven charges of burglary, and one charge each of theft of motor vehicle, driving while forbidden, and failing to stop for police.
He also denied charges of reckless driving and arson - the later charge related to an allegation that he set fire to a Mazda ute he allegedly stole in Whakatane on May 23.
Police have alleged Enoka drove off from a Tokoroa petrol station on May 24 in the stolen Mazda ute, with the Armed Offenders Squad involved in the search for him.
Enoka was arrested in Rotorua later that day.
His lawyer, Rachael Adams, who entered not-guilty pleas to the 23 charges on Enoka's behalf, told Judge Christopher Harding that her client consented to being held in custody.
Police opposed bail.
Ms Adams said an electronic monitoring bail application would be filed in due course.
Judge Harding remanded Enoka in custody to next appear at a case review hearing on September 5 to set down trial and defending hearing dates.