Angry man points rifle in liquor store

Customers at a New Plymouth liquor store crouched behind a beer display after realising an irate customer was aiming a rifle at the salesman.

The New Plymouth District Court yesterday heard how Earl Te Riini, a farm worker of Rahotu, had earlier stolen his boss' .22 rifle, stashed it and two other loaded firearms in his car and headed to town on December 8 to apparently buy alcohol.

Police who later arrested him at Oakura, found a note in his hoodie pocket on the back seat of his car saying "Put the money in the bag NOW".

Te Riini's lawyer, Turitea Bolstad, said her client was extremely disappointed in himself and acknowledged he had anger problems. But there was nothing to suggest that her client was a robber, she said.

"People don't walk around with notes saying, `give me your money now'," Judge Allan Roberts commented.

Te Riini admitted unlawfully carrying two firearms, presenting a firearm, and theft after the incident which had resulted in a police armed offenders' callout.

On the night, Te Riini had put the rifle, a loaded black imitation Glock, a loaded .45 calibre air rifle and ammunition in his car, the police summary stated.

He had driven to Liquor King on Mt Edgecumbe St, parked outside and then tried to use his partner's credit card to buy $10.99 worth of Diesel bourbon and coke.

When the salesman said his signature didn't match the card, he became angry and then threw it back at the salesman.

Te Riini then took the stolen .22 out of his car and aimed it at the salesman. Two customers in the shop spotted the firearm and yelled out a warning. The two then took cover behind a beer stack in the store.

Te Riini had driven off and then changed his clothes so he wouldn't be recognised. He told police he had wanted to scare the salesman after he had refused to sell him alcohol. But he told them that he had written the note months before after he had watched a Police 10-7 programme.

He agreed with police that it looked like he had intended to commit an aggravated robbery. He also admitted he had thought about firing the rifle but had not gone through with it because he didn't have the courage to do so.

Te Riini was remanded until February 19 for sentencing.

- © Fairfax NZ News