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Police have launched a search after an “unconfirmed amount of cash” was taken during an Armourguard van robbery on Auckland’s North Shore this afternoon.
Detective Inspector Simon Harrison, of the Waitematā CIB, said security staff were carrying out a delivery to an ATM on Birkenhead Ave when a man approached them just before 2.30pm.
“No one has been injured, however, an unconfirmed amount of cash was stolen,” Harrison said.
“The offender fled the immediate scene on foot and at this stage we believe he has left in a vehicle.”
He said there was an increased police visibility in the Birkenhead area in response to the incident.
“Our investigation is still in the early stages. A scene examination is also being carried out, with additional inquiries to follow,” Harrison said.
A worker from a business in the same Birkenhead shopping strip said the offender was wearing black with an orange high-vis jacket, white mask and black goggles.
“He parked behind the Armourguard car... he pointed a gun at the security guard,” they said.
“He took a bag of money [and] drove away in a black [Suzuki] Swift.”
Northcote MP Dan Bidois took to social media this afternoon saying he was aware of an incident “involving an Armourguard van outside the old ASB building in Birkenhead”.
Police at the scene today after security staff were carrying out a delivery to an ATM on Birkenhead Ave when a man robbed them. Photo / Supplied
“Police are currently investigating and the area has been cordoned off.”
Shanan Halbert, a Labour list MP based in Northcote, told the Herald it was “terrible” to hear about the robbery following a stabbing in the community last week.
“I’m hoping that security footage will help these cases. It has created fear in our community and people shouldn’t have to feel this way.”
It is understood the alleged offender targeted an Armourguard van while security staff were delivering cash to an ASB ATM in Birkenhead. Photo / Google Maps
Locals took to social media, confirming they witnessed an alleged offender robbing an Armourguard vehicle while it was resupplying the ATM.
ASB told the Herald it is aware of the incident at its Birkenhead ATM today.
“Our main concern is the personal safety and wellbeing of our people and our customers,” a spokesperson said.
“We can confirm no one was hurt and everyone is safe. We have a team of support staff assisting, and we are working with the Police as they carry out their inquiries. The ATM lobby is now open to the public.”
Police have asked anyone in the area at the time who saw anyone heading towards a vehicle carrying a case to contact them via the 105 phone service, using the reference number P061584274.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
The Herald has approached Armourguard for comment.
The incident comes a week after armed police swarmed the same North Shore road after a critically injured man “completely drenched in blood” was found with stab wounds.
It forced an early childhood centre into lockdown as police blocked off Birkenhead Ave, with emergency tape stretched across both sides of the road.
“We drove past when [it] just happened. Man completely drenched in blood on the ground, made me so upset to see. Really hope he’s okay but [it] doesn’t look good,” one witness recalled on social media.
A witness said the man looked in terrible condition.
