Tauranga police have arrested a 59-year-old man in connection with the attempted robbery of the Quality Food and Spice Store on Cameron Road on Wednesday evening.

He is to appear today in Manukau District Court on a charge of assault with intent to rob.

'Offenders need to think carefully before attempting similar offending,” says Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner.

'Police are committed to investigating incidences such as these thoroughly and holding offenders to account.”

In recent times in Western Bay of Plenty the majority of offenders for this type of offending have been arrested and put before the courts, adds Greg.

'These offenders are now either serving or are about to serve lengthy jail sentences, having taken minimal amounts of cash or product during these robberies.”