Youth arrested over alleged knifepoint minimart robbery

A youth has been arrested for the robbery of a minimart in Palmerston North on Sunday, when a six-year-old allegedly had a knife held to his throat .

Detective Sergeant Brett Calkin, of Palmerston North police, said in a statement today a 16-year-old male was charged with aggravated robbery and kidnapping and will appear in Palmerston Youth Court tomorrow morning.

The incident was at Kelvin Grove Mini Market about 7.30pm on Sunday, when the six-year-old son of the shop's owner was allegedly held briefly as a hostage while money was demanded from his mother.

Money was taken from the shop's till.

Mr Calkin said police were still investigating the aggravated robbery of a service station in the city last Wednesday and were keeping an open mind as to whether the incidents were related.

- NZPA