Bar staff given time off after robbery

Staff at an Auckland bar have been given time off work after being robbed by a shotgun-wielding gang yesterday

A staff member at Jokers Bar in Pt Chevalier said yesterday's incident had been "distressing" for all those involved so they had been given some time-off to recuperate.

The robbers made off with a sum of money, she said.

Three women and a man have been charged with the aggravated robbery after armed police swooped on them following a tip from a member of the public.

The informant told them the four parked one vehicle, changed into hoodies, and drove off in another vehicle, which was then parked not far from the bar on Carrington Rd.

The informant noted the registration numbers of both vehicles and reported them to police as the Jokers Park robbery happened.

Police tracked the alleged robbers to the Manukau City suburb of Clover Park where they were arrested.

Aarmed police later searched two other houses in Clover Park.

Police said their informant's observations and willingness to act resulted in the arrests for yesterday's robbery and possibly others in the Pt Chevalier area.

- NZPA