Man charged with aggravated robbery after armed standoff in Hastings; police appeal for information about offender still at large

Armed police cordoned off Karamu Rd South on Friday afternoon as police searched for a man alleged to have robbed a bar on King St earlier that day. Photo/Warren Buckland.

A man allegedly at the centre of an armed standoff in Hastings last week has been charged with aggravated robbery.

The 32-year-old man was arrested on Friday afternoon after allegedly robbing the Magpies Sports Bar and TAB on King St, Hastings, around midday.

He and a co-offender, who remains outstanding, were pursued by police before abandoning their vehicle near Hastings Boys' High School.

A number of schools went into lockdown and a portion of Karamu Rd South was cordoned off as the men holed-up inside flatting complex Star Flats.

The Armed Offenders Squad was deployed at the scene throughout the incident during which parents of children in nearby schools waited anxiously for their children to be released.

At about 3.30pm a man was escorted by police from the Karamu Rd flat complex where he was hugged by several people and allowed to smoke a cigarette before he was handcuffed and taken into custody.

Yesterday, a police spokesperson said the 32-year-old man had been charged with aggravated robbery and would next appear in the Hastings District Court on June 26.

One person remained outstanding for the aggravated robbery on King St and police were appealing to anyone with information about the incident to contact Detective Sergeant John McCarthy on 06 831 0700 or provide information anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Aggravated robbery carries a maximum penalty of 14 years' imprisonment.