Arrested man linked to aggravated robberies

Christchurch Police have arrested a 42-year old man after an aggravated robbery at the Sydenham Pharmacy on Sunday [2 June].

The man has also been charged with the aggravated robbery of the Stanmore Road Video Ezy on 12 May, and is being questioned in relation to other aggravated robberies or attempted robberies over the past two months in and around central Christchurch.

Police say the man entered the Sydenham Pharmacy on Colombo Street at around 10.15am on Sunday and threatened staff with a syringe.

He made off with a small amount of property and fled the scene by bicycle. Police were in the area quickly and the alleged offender was seen on Gasson Street by a patrol.

The man fled into the CPIT campus and was followed by police. He gave himself up after throwing his bike at patrol staff. He was found with property stolen from the robbery in his possession.

The man appeared in the Christchurch District Court yesterday [Monday 5 June] and has been remanded in custody.

Police believe the man may have been involved in other aggravated robberies and are appealing for any information or sightings of a man matching his description acting suspiciously around shops or retail outlets.

He is described as being of medium to solid build with close-shaved hair, wearing black and riding an older-style mountain bike. The most distinctive part of the offender's attire is an old white cycle helmet with the plastic covering removed showing only the polystyrene inner.

Police are appealing for any information about this male or sightings of a male matching his description acting suspiciously around any shops or other retail outlets.

Detective Senior Sergeant Darryl Sweeney says the arrest is one of a number of successful resolutions to recent robberies around Christchurch.

"Our crime squads are resolving a high number of robberies in Christchurch thanks to the public calling in and reporting suspicious activity, and shopkeepers having great CCTV images.

"We are taking a proactive, intelligence-led approach to resolving these crimes across Christchurch - we do link robberies and hold the offenders accountable.

"Our prevention patrol groups are also tasked to keep an eye on high-risk premises, and to work with business owners to improve their security and raise awareness of potential crime risks."

Detective Senior Sergeant Sweeney says recent arrests include a 22-year old man arrested for the aggravated robbery of a MacGregors Road dairy on 27 May; a 21 year old man arrested in relation to the aggravated robbery at Bassett Street Dairy on 8 May; a 17-year old man arrested for robbing a pizza delivery worker in Woolston on 28 April; and a 22 year old man charged with the robbery of Dominos Pizza on 28 April.

Residents and shopkeepers are encouraged to report suspicious activity in and around business premises, provide images of those thought to be casing premises and capture registration numbers, Detective Senior Sergeant Sweeney says. In the case of a robbery in progress, always call 111.

Anyone with information about the suspected offender is asked to contact Detective Greg Beer on (03) 3637752 or Christchurch Police on 363 7400.

Alternatively, to provide information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS