Good community policing in partnership with members of the public was put into play when they foiled a robbery in Manurewa yesterday. Late shift Police staff were alerted to a suspicious looking person outside the Homai Bakery & Superette on Gloucester Road just before 3pm Tuesday 6 September.
Some eagle-eyed pie and cake loving members of the public, who were outside the superette at the time, spied a man standing near the entrance with what appeared to be a firearm in a tea-towel and was overheard talking to another person about plans to rob the shop.
Not content to just leave the situation, the good Samaritans quickly phoned police, watched the man until police arrived. Police units attended immediately and apprehended the man on the corner of Rowendale and Browns Road. A search after his arrest revealed the man indeed had an imitation glock firearm hidden in under a tea towel.
Inspector Julia Lynch, Area Commander for Manurewa Police was in high praise of the members of the public who helped out.
“They did a fantastic job on this occasion – they did all the right things. They called Police, kept an eye on what was going on and when we arrived, stayed around to give us statements – we couldn’t be happier with how this played out.
It’s good to get these offenders off the street – this is prevention - when public and police work together like this, she says.”
I am also proud of how swift my staff reacted to resolve the situation.”
Anyone else who witnessed what happened outside the bakery & superette at 3pm yesterday are encouraged to call CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
A 21 year-old man will appear before the Manukau District Court on 9 September 2016 charged with unlawfully carrying an imitation firearm and preparing to commit a crime.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre