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Teenager admits tavern robbery charges
A 19-year-old youth has admitted a firearms incident as part of a robbery attempt at the Glenbyre Tavern, but police have withdrawn a charge of attempted murder at the Christchurch District Court today.
Ryan Randall Vlietstra, unemployed, of Beckenham, pleaded guilty to charges of committing a robbery while armed with a firearm, firing a sawn-off rifle so as to endanger a man, and unlawful possession of a pistol – a cut-down .22 rifle.
Police allege Vlietstra was detained by patrons at the scene of the robbery in Bromley as the tavern was closing on July 7. They alleged a patron was injured when a shot was fired during the confrontation that followed.
Vlietstra has been in custody since his arrest at the scene, and has faced several other charges including attempting to murder the man who was injured.
Police today withdrew that charge and one of assaulting a woman with intent to rob her, and having a firearm while he committed an assault with intent to rob.
Defence counsel Craig Ruane put in a request for Vlietstra to be able to plead guilty to the indictable charges during a sitting of the police list court, before Judge Emma Smith.
She remanded Vlietstra in custody for a crown sentencing on October 29, and ordered a pre-sentence report and a report on his suitability for home detention.
The remand for sentence was delayed so that Judge Smith could obtain the correct wording to read Vlietstra a formal warning under the three-strikes law.
