Arrest in ice cream robbery case

CCTV footage shows one of the five youths threatening the Ranui Takeaway owner with a gun. Photo / Supplied

A teenage woman has been arrested and charged after ice cream was stolen in an armed hold-up of a west Auckland takeaway store 13 days ago.

The 18-year-old appeared in Waitakere District Court today charged with aggravated robbery after she was arrested at an address in suburban Ranui. She was remanded to reappear on Monday.

Police have been searching for five robbers, at least four of them female, after the hold-up of the Ranui Food Bar and Takeaway Store about 9pm on May 29.

The robbers, all wearing hooded sweatshirts with their faces covered, threatened owner Yunan Zheng with a pistol, a knife and hammers.

They left with 60 to 70 ice creams.

Waitemata police spokesman Kev Loughlin said today's arrest followed a forensic examination.

"Clothing and weapons consistent to those featured in security surveillance footage in the store was discovered at the address. A gas-powered firearm was recovered," he said.

Police were confident the remaining four offenders would be caught.

- NZPA