Matthew Littlewood15:10, May 25 2021
John Bisset/Stuff
Robert William Cropp, of Timaru, has been found guilty of the aggravated burglary of a Timaru restaurant. (File)
A man who took a firearm to the burglary of a Timaru restaurant has been found guilty of aggravated burglary and issued with his second strike offence. Robert William Cropp, 27, of Timaru, was found guilty of aggravated burglary, escaping lawful custody, driving in a dangerous manner and unlawfully possessing a firearm after unsuccessfully defending the charges before Judge David Ruth in the Timaru District Court, on Monday. In her opening address, Crown solicitor Helen Bennett said the offending - on September 19, 2020 - was alleged to have included the theft of two kegs from Koji Teppanyaki and Grill restaurant with the aid of an accomplice, fleeing from police when stopped, and possession of a firearm.