A Tauranga jury has found one of the two men accused of being involved in attempted armed robberies at Waihi Mobil station and Park Rd Dairy in Katikati guilty of both offences.
George Matthews, 20s, aka Rapatini, who was on trial in Tauranga District Court last week, has been convictedof two counts of assault with intent to rob.
The offences occurred with an hour of each other on June 18, 2012.
The other accused Jeremiah Reti, who had been tried in his absence after he failed to turn up to court, was discharged on one count of assault with intent to rob in relation to the Katikati dairy at the conclusion of the Crown case.
Matthews together with his brother Rastaman Rapatini were members of a trio that brandished either an imitation pistol and/or a claw hammer at their victims, and demanded cash and cigarettes.
During the Waihi attempted robbery the female attendant was kicked in the stomach and during the other robbery attempt the male dairy owner managed to lock himself in a back room.
The offenders,who wore balaclavas and hoodies, fled empty handed. An arrest warrant has been issued for Reti who earlier admitted his role in the Mobil attempted robbery.
Matthews was remanded in custody pending sentencing on March 31.
