Palmerston North Police have today arrested three men in relation to an aggravated robbery that occurred yesterday (8 October, 2014) at the Mobil Service Station, on the corner of Tremaine Avenue and Rangitikei Street.
At approximately 5am three males entered the station and approached the sole attendant. All three had their faces covered and one of them presented a tomahawk and demanded money from the attendant.
The men then decamped from the scene by foot with an unknown amount of cash as well as two charity collection boxes and headed in the direction of Coronation Park.
Officers conducted a search of the park yesterday and located a tomahawk which was likely the weapon used in the aggravated robbery.
A scene examination was completed at the station yesterday afternoon.
Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Sheridan, officer in charge of the Manawatu CIB says: "We have made significant progress in the past 24 hours and officers have today recovered one charity box which was located on railway lines."
"This morning four search warrants were also executed at addresses in Palmerston North and items were seized including clothing believed to be worn by the offenders during the robbery."
The three men; two aged 18 and the other 17 are jointly charged with aggravated robbery. One 18-year-old and the 17 year-old have also been charged in relation to the vandalism at the Highbury Community Policing Centre that occurred late in the evening on Tuesday (7 October, 2014) this week.
Both men will face a joint charge of criminal damage. All three men will appear in the Palmerston North District Court tomorrow (Friday 10 October, 2014).
19 windows were smashed at the Centre and graffiti scribbled on exterior walls. It is believed a group of four or five people were responsible for the damage.
"The dollar value of the damage is currently being assessed and further inquiries are underway to identify the others responsible for the damage.
"We want to speak to anyone that may have any information about the vandalism and we encourage them to contact Police," says Detective Senior Sergeant Sheridan.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Palmerston North Police on (06) 351 3600. Information can also be provided anonymously to the organisation Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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