Two Kawerau men were arrested today over an aggravated robbery and shooting at a police officer in eastern Bay of Plenty on Sunday.
A third man is being sought by police.
Two men, one of them armed, robbed the Shell service station at Riverslea Mall in Edgecumbe, 19km west of Whakatane, shortly before 1pm on Sunday.
Detective Sergeant Ross Everest said the pair stole "a quantity of cash" before fleeing in a stolen vehicle, driven by a third man.
The vehicle was spotted by a police officer, who gave chase. Mr Everest said the officer was forced to pull back when one of the offenders fired a shot at the patrol car, hitting the front of the vehicle.
The officer was not injured.
The stolen vehicle, an early model silver/grey Nissan Pulsar hatchback with the registration TP7992, was later found abandoned on the stop bank of Rangitaiki River.
Today Whakatane police arrested and charged two Kawerau men, aged 33 and 20, in relation to the aggravated robbery. They also face charges in relation to firing at the police officer.
Both men will appear in Whakatane District Court tomorrow.
Mr Everest said a third person was still being sought, and inquiries were continuing in relation to that person's identity.
He said information received from the public had been a significant help in assisting with the two arrests so far.
Whakatane police were still keen to hear from anyone who may have further information relating to the incident.
