Boy Robs Nz Bank, Lives It Up In Aust
Sydney Morning Herald
Monday October 3, 1988
AUCKLAND, Monday: A 15-year-old boy who robbed an Auckland bank armed with an imitation hand grenade last week used the proceeds to fly to Australia and spend four days in a Sydney hotel.
The Auckland Children and Young Persons Court was told today that the boy returned to New Zealand at the weekend and gave himself up to the police.
Only $40 out of the $4,976 he stole was left.
The boy admitted a charge of robbing the Newmarket branch of the National Bank of $4,976 on September 26 while armed with an imitation hand grenade.
Judge Jamieson remanded him in social welfare custody until October 31 and ordered that social welfare and psychological reports be prepared.
Sergeant John Hirst told the court the boy went into the bank wearing a blond wig, a white knitted beanie, a pair of glasses and a duffle coat.
He told the police he had contemplated doing a robbery for some time.
Sergeant Hirst said the boy bought the imitation hand grenade from an army surplus store.
© 1988 Sydney Morning Herald