Two arrested after attempted robberies

GREYMOUTH: Two people have been arrested in connection with Friday’s attempted aggravated robberies in Greymouth.

A shotgun and smoke bombs were reportedly used in the incidents, which took place at Runanga Workingmen’s Club and the Railway Hotel.

Detective Senior Sergeant Kirsten Norton said one person had been charged with aggravated robbery, attempted aggravated burglary, unlawful taking of a vehicle and commission of a crime with a firearm.

A second person has been charged with being a party to both an aggravated burglary and unlawfully taking a vehicle.

Witnesses to the Railway Hotel incident in Mawhera Quay called police when they saw a man standing outside the establishment with a shotgun.

The Greymouth Star understands the same man discharged two smoke canisters on the footpath outside.

Another witness said that they could see orange smoke billowing from the canisters from the Greymouth side of the Cobden bridge.

The canisters were left lying on the footpath alongside the pub.

Two armed police officers arrived at the Railway Hotel, one with a Bushmaster semiautomatic rifle.

The Police Big Day Out at the Grey District Aquatic Centre was interrupted as police were called to the incident.

‘‘We want to reassure the community that we take these incidents extremely seriously,’’ Det Snr Sgt Norton said.

‘‘We know the community will agree that this sort of behaviour is absolutely unacceptable.

‘‘We believe a third person may have been involved in these incidents and have knowledge that will assist police.

‘‘We also want to hear from anyone who may have dashcam footage, or saw anyone walking, between Cobden Bridge and Eight Mile Bluff north of Rapahoe, on Friday October 25, between 10.50am and 1.30pm.

The firearm believed to have been used has been recovered.

The two men are due to appear at the Greymouth District Court tomorrow.

— Additional reporting Greymouth Star