The spree, spanning more than six hours, ended in the arrest of a 27-year-old man. Photo / File
The spree, spanning more than six hours, ended in the arrest of a 27-year-old man. Photo / File
A Waikato man who robbed three businesses over six hours with an imitation firearm has been arrested.
Detective Sergeant Scott McKenzie says police were called to the first robbery at Westpac bank in Chartwell shortly before 1.30pm.
"A man had presented a weapon, threatened staff and left with an undisclosedamount of cash," McKenzie said.
But as officers were trying to identify the suspect, they were called to a second robbery at Rototuna Kiwibank, a short drive away from the first robbed business.
At around 5.15pm a man, fitting a similar description to the first robbery, presented a weapon at the Kiwibank before leaving with an undisclosed amount of cash.
Less than two hours later, a third robbery was reported to Police just before 7.30pm at a business premises in Taupiri.
"Police staff responding to the Taupiri robbery noted a vehicle of interest on the Waikato Expressway just after 7.30pm," McKenzie said.
The car failed to stop when signalled by police, sparking a chase.
