Police find stolen bank cash

Police have recovered money stolen from a BNZ bank in Cromwell yesterday.

Detective Senior Sergeant Colin Blackie told NZPA the cash had been found but was unable to give any more detail as the investigation was ongoing.

A man walked into the bank at about 2pm, handing the teller a note demanding money before driving off with an undisclosed sum.

Police set up road cordons and enlisted the help of a helicopter from Wanaka.

They caught up with the man two hours later, near the Cromwell lake front and he was taken into custody.

The hunt was on for a possible accomplice, thought to have left the scene in a second vehicle shortly after the robbery.

It was a white or light-coloured Toyota Surf four-wheel-drive with a dark left front mudguard.

Mr Blackie said they had spoken with a number of witnesses and were calling for anyone with information to contact police.

A 36-year-old man would appear in Alexandra District Court this morning.

- NZPA