Woman charged with armed robbery

 

Police can now report the gun used in a recent armed robbery in Mangawhai on May 16, was in fact a toy.

A female tourist, possibly Australian was robbed of her iPhone after being approached by another woman on Mangawhai’s surf beach who appeared to be brandishing a real gun. 

The tourist was said to be naturally shaken by the incident but unharmed.  

Local police arrested the Auckland woman after being located by the Police Eagle Helicopter and was retained in the care of Henderson’s Mental Health Services. 

She appeared in court on May 17 on armed robbery charges. 

Wellsford Police Sergeant Geoff Medland says residents need not be alarmed.

“This was an isolated incident from what appears to be an unwell individual,” he says. “However if you are approached by a person who has a weapon, cooperate, try to remember as many details of the person as you can, and call the police as soon as possible.” 

- REPORTING / JULIA WADE

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