A Bay couple allege they were forced at knifepoint to hand over clothing and shoes during a terrifying hour-long ordeal last night.
The teenage couple were walking along an inner city Tauranga street when they met a man and two women about 8pm.
Tauranga police Sergeant Lester Polglase said the group walked
around together but a short time later the trio surrounded the couple and demanded their shoes and jackets.
After the couple handed over the items, it is alleged they were forced to remain with the trio at knifepoint while they walked around the city before further demands were made to hand over more clothing and jewellery.
The girl managed to slip away from the group when the offenders concentrated on her partner.
Mr Polglase said the youth was released by the trio some time later after he was told not to report the incident.
Police believe the couple were held for about an hour by the three attackers.
"Both victims were shaken and frightened throughout their ordeal but were physically unharmed," Mr Polglase said.
A 24-year-old unemployed man, a 25-year-old mother and an unemployed 17-year-old have been arrested and jointly charged with aggravated robbery and were to appear in Tauranga District Court today.
