Police earlier this week made two arrests in the robberies they think may be linked to the killing of Paeroa pizza shop owner Jordan Voudouris.
A 19-year-old Rotorua man was arrested on Monday and a 17-year-old Mangakino man on Tuesday in connection with the attempted robbery of a Waihi service station and the aggravated robbery of a Katikati dairy on June 18.
That's the same day the body of Mr Voudouris, 57, was found behind in an alleyway leading to his Mykonos Pizza and Pasta shop.
Police are not saying how he died but are treating it as a homicide.
The arrested pair have already appeared in court but their appearances attracted blanket suppressions so as not to interfere with the police investigation.
The suppressions were lifted on Wednesday, the same day hundreds of people attended Mr Voudouris' funeral in Paeroa.
Police have said they were investigating whether his death was linked to an attempted service station robbery in Waihi, 20km east of Paeroa, and an aggravated robbery of a dairy in Katikati, a further 25km to the southeast.
Bay of Plenty police are still talking with their Waikato counterparts about a possible link, but say it is not yet possible to confirm or rule it out.
"It is vital that these arrests do not deter people with information about the death of Mr Voudouris from contacting the investigation team (at Paeroa)," said Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner of Tauranga police.
"We have to continue treating the incidents as separate investigations unless the time comes when the evidence tells us there is a definitive link.
"The robberies remain just one of a number of considerations for the homicide team."
The 19-year-old Rotorua man will next appear in Rotorua District Court on Monday, facing two charges of assault with intent to rob.
The Mangakino 17-year-old is being held in custody and will appear on July 17, facing two charges of assault with intent to rob.
News home