Community effort nabs crim

Police are praising the Onehunga community for offering help that led to an arrest for a recent bank robbery.

The Onehunga ANZ Bank was robbed by a man armed with a large knife on October 30 and he was able to make off with a sum of money.

Thanks to security camera footage from the bank, senior sergeant Hirone Waretini was able to send out a special notice to Amanda Kinzett, the manager of the Onehunga Business Association.

Mr Waretini says Ms Kinzett sent the notice to every network available to her and by November 3, a member of the community who saw the notice had contacted police with information that ultimately led to the arrest.

"Without the help of the community, this offender would not have been caught as quickly as he was," he says.

"While it was a frightening experience for the staff of the bank, the quick apprehension will hopefully go some way to restoring their confidence and feelings of safety.

"This incident and the speed with which information made it into our community is a testament to the excellent partnership Onehunga police enjoy with the Onehunga Business Association.

"I want to thank Ms Kinzett and the community for helping to identify and apprehend this offender."

Onehunga man Jayson Katene, 21, was charged with aggravated robbery and appeared in the Auckland District Court on November 4.

He has been bailed to appear again on November 25.

- © Fairfax NZ News