Second man arrested in BOP robberies

Police are confident of making arrests soon. Photo / Supplied

Police have arrested a second man in relation to two robberies by armed and masked men in the Bay of Plenty last month.

Police arrested the 22-year-old unemployed Rotorua man tonight.

Tauranga detectives arrested a 19-year-old unemployed man yesterday, following the aggravated robberies of the Te Puke Jewellers and the Katikati Paper Plus and Post Shop on July 24.

Inquiries were continuing to find two other men believed to be involved in the robberies, Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner said.

The Te Puke jewellery store was robbed about 11.30am on July 24, followed by the Katikati Paper Plus store at 2.25pm. There were three disguised offenders with a sawn-off shotgun, while a fourth person was acting as a lookout.

The three robbers were disguised with Casper the Ghost-type white polystyrene masks .

Both arrested men would appear in the Rotorua District Court on Monday.

- NZPA