Man arrested in relation to robberies in Lower Hutt and Palmerston North

A man has been arrested in relation to a robbery at the TAB in Petone (pictured above) and another robbery in Palmerston North. Photo / Google

A Whakatane man has been arrested in relation to two robberies in Wellington and Palmerston North.

The 36-year-old has been charged with aggravated robbery, unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, theft and male assaults female.

Police in the Wellington region began their hunt for him after an aggravated robbery at the Petone TAB premises, on the corner of Jackson and Nelson streets, in June.

At that incident, he was armed with a knife and stole and got away with an undisclosed amount of money.

In the second incident, on August 18, he approached a woman in a service lane and forcibly snatched her handbag from her.

Police said: "The arrest comes on the back of good work from staff across the country in linking the incidents and sharing information to ensure this person can be held to account.''

The man will appear in the Whakatane District Court on Wednesday.