People help nab store thief

A teen who robbed a booze store with an axe handed some of his stolen cigarettes back to a bystander who chased him down.

Matamata residents helped track the teenager with one woman calling from a car window as she tailed him to hand over the tobacco he had just stolen. The teen, who had skipped his course to rob the store, did.

The 13-year-old entered the liquor store on Arawa St at 10.25am on Wednesday.

He wore a bandanna around his face and was carrying an axe, Detective Sergeant Will Loughrin of Matamata Piako CIB said.

‘‘He’s grabbed cigarettes and threatened the shop keeper with the axe and then he has got away with tobacco.’’

Loughrin said the teenager left the store on foot but was spotted by people running through the neighbouring streets.

After calling 111 the residents pointed out to police officers which way the teenager had run.

‘‘One person, in her vehicle, called out to the offender demanding he return the tobacco. He actually handed her three packets. That information has given us a good starting point for a dog handler.’’

A dog handler tracked the offender. Although the teenager wasn’t there, Loughrin said subsequent inquiries identified the alleged robber as a 13-year-old. He was meant to be attending a course but had left.

Police found the 13-year-old. The axe and clothing were found stashed in a bag in the bushes at the back of the residence.

‘‘We want to thank members of the Matamata community because a number have stepped up, seen what’s happened and followed the offender while contacting 111.’’ The teenager will likely appear in court at a later date.