A Palmerston North bank was robbed this morning for the second time in two weeks.
A member of the public called police at about 9.40am to say a robbery was taking place at the ANZ Bank branch on Ruahine Street.
The robber threatened tellers with a long-barrelled firearm and left the bank with an undisclosed amount of cash.
He got into a car, which was spotted later by police in the suburb of Roslyn.
He ran from the vehicle but was arrested a short time later by the armed offenders squad at a house in Hulme Street.
A small fire had been started in the house and was extinguished by police before the Fire Service arrived.
The man was being questioned at Palmerston North police station.
The earlier robbery took place on September 17, when a man with his face covered threatened the bank's tellers with a firearm.
He left with cash and was believed to have driven off in a stolen car with an accomplice.
The car was later found abandoned in the suburb of Kelvin Grove.
Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Sheridan said it was too early to say whether the robberies were linked but police would look at that possibility.
Police would interview witnesses today and examine the house, bank and car .
NZPA