Photo: 123RF
Police are praising bystanders who helped bring a swift end to a robbery outside a Gisbourne superette, after a 65-year-old woman using a walking frame had money snatched from her hand in broad daylight.
The woman was outside the Roebuck Rd store about 10am Saturday, putting change from her purchases into her purse, when she was approached, threatened, and had money allegedly taken directly from her hand.
The incident unfolded in front of the victim’s son, the superette owner, and another member of the public, who soon followed the alleged offender to an address on Anzac St while staying on the phone with police.
Officers arrived a short time later and arrested a 29-year-old woman, who has been charged with robbery and is due to appear in Gisborne District Court on Tuesday, 2 June.
The victim was shaken but otherwise uninjured.
Senior Sergeant Debra Rasmussen said the quick actions of those who witnessed the incident made a significant difference.
“Police would like to thank those involved in assisting the quick apprehension of the alleged offender in this incident,” she said.
“They did the right thing by immediately calling emergency services, while also taking safe steps to ensure officers could quickly locate the woman involved.”
She said the response showed the value of people acting without putting themselves at risk, but still looking out for others in the community.
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