Armed men wrestle cash box from security-van staff outside bank

At least two armed men wearing balaclavas wrestled a box of cash off security-van staff in front of several alarmed lunchtime shoppers in Auckland yesterday.

The incident follows another armed robbery of an Armourguard van last month and police said they would be investigating whether the two were linked.

Yesterday two Armourguard employees had been working on a National Bank ATM outside the bank at the Eastridge shopping centre in Kepa Rd, Orakei.

Their van was parked beside them, next to the centre's main entrance.

About 12.30pm, at least two men threatened them with one or more weapons while demanding the money. Detective Senior Sergeant Kevin Hooper of Glen Innes said a fight broke out before the offenders made off with the box in a stolen, champagne-coloured 2005 Subaru Forester stationwagon.

The car was found by police minutes later ditched a few kilometres away in the carpark of the Teachers Eastern Rugby Football Club at the Orakei Domain. The police Eagle helicopter and police dogs were involved in the search but the trail went cold, Mr Hooper said.

A weapon was found in the car but it was not known if it had been used in the robbery. Police would not say what types of weapons were involved.

The Armourguard staff were not hurt but police victim support workers talked to them, Mr Hooper said. "They're pretty shaken up."

Police said the offenders were wearing hoodies and either balaclavas or other fabric to cover their faces. At least one wore gloves.

Last month a man with a firearm robbed Armourguard staff outside a bank in Otahuhu of more than $60,000.