A 20-year-old man is before the courts following an aggravated robbery in Ashhurst.

On Saturday 17 May, Police were alerted to a person armed with a weapon entering a commercial premises on Cambridge Avenue at around 2pm.

The alleged offender threatened the store employee with the weapon before demanding and taking cash.

Prior to Police arrival, the man left the area in a vehicle.

Thankfully, the employee is uninjured, however is understandably shaken by the incident.

After initial enquiries, Police identified the alleged offender and a vehicle of interest.

At around 9am today, a Police unit saw the vehicle of interest on Napier Road.

The vehicle was signalled to stop and a 20-year-old man was taken into custody without incident.

The man is due to appear in Palmerston North District on 20 May, charged with aggravated robbery and possession of an offensive weapon.

We are pleased to have made an arrest and put this man before the court in relation to this matter.

This type of offending creates harm not only to the victims involved but the wider community as well, and we will continue to find, arrest and hold the offenders responsible.

We would like to remind the public to contact Police as soon as possible if you see suspicious or unlawful behaviour.

Please call 111 if it is happening now, or 105 in non-emergencies.

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