Police Beat: Good turn sours for Hamilton driver

A good Samaritan got the shock of her life when she found her car at the centre of police attention following an attempted robbery in Hamilton.

Detective Sergeant Ricky Thompson, of the Hamilton CIB, said the woman's car was stopped on Clyde St shortly after 9am last week.

"We received a call to the 111 phone service about an attempted robbery of the Manhattan Pricecutter on Grey St when a man had entered the store, passed over a note and attempted to gain access to the till.

"He was unsuccessful and fled the store, heading toward the drive-through of a nearby fast food restaurant. He approached a woman to give him a ride. Thinking she was helping someone in need, the completely innocent woman gave him a ride and unwittingly became involved in the resulting police response."

Mr Thompson said the car was stopped on Clyde St and a 25-year-old man was charged with demanding with intention to steal.

"We're asking for anyone who was in the vicinity of the store, either before or during the attempted robbery, who saw a shaven-headed Maori wearing a grey hoodie, three-quarter-length cargo pants and white-coloured shoes and socks acting suspiciously, to contact the inquiry team," he said

Anyone with more information can contact Mr Thompson at the Hamilton Central Police Station by phoning 07 858 6200.