Arrests for dairy holdup

Witness helps police catch trio of teens

CARRYING ON: Hilltop Dairy owner Michael Kim was back at work the day after three teenagers allegedly held up his dairy.

Relevant offers

Three teenagers have appeared in court on charges of aggravated robbery after allegedly holding up the owner of the Hilltop Dairy on Evans St, Timaru.

It is alleged the incident occurred about 6pm on Friday, when three boys, all aged 15, burst into the dairy, with at least one attempting to stand guard by the refrigerator. Dairy owner Michael Kim said one of the three "silly boys" brandished an imitation weapon, while another jumped behind the counter, stealing about $64 of tobacco. Mr Kim said the trio fled shortly afterwards, but not before he called the police.

When the Herald spoke to Mr Kim on the Saturday, he said he had not been too badly affected. He returned to work the next morning.

"I slept fine," he said.

"The police have told me that the silly boys have been arrested."

Sergeant Ian Howard of the Timaru police praised the work of a witness, who recognised at least one of the teenagers, and informed the police of the trio's whereabouts.

"We are very grateful to the member of the public who went above and beyond the call of duty," Mr Howard said.

He said that once the police were informed of the teenagers' whereabouts, they searched their home.

The search warrant led to the recovery of a laptop, alleged to have been stolen from Sacred Heart Primary School earlier that Friday, while two girls' scooters, which were also found at the premises, have since been returned to their owners.

Mr Howard said the trio were apprehended just before midnight on Friday, and appeared in court on Saturday, each facing a charge of aggravated robbery, and have been remanded until December 19.

Detective Nicola Stephenson, of the Criminal Investigation Branch at Timaru, said she was seeking further information from any witnesses who may have seen the three offenders behaving suspiciously before, during, or after the robbery.

Friday's event was not the first time Mr Kim has been threatened while working at the Hilltop Dairy. Back in 2008, he was held at knife-point while an offender stole cigarettes and money.

Meanwhile, in an unrelated incident, a 16-year-old Timaru boy was arrested for unlawful possession of an imitation firearm on Saturday evening, after police stopped him for drinking on Heaton St.

"With the holidays fast approaching, we would like to remind parents of their responsibilities to look out for their children," Mr Howard said.

"These imitations look identical to the real thing and young people who are caught acting irresponsibly with them may face far-reaching consequences, including possible restrictions on owning actual firearms in the future."

- © Fairfax NZ News