Builder rams robbery getaway car

A builder is being praised by police for helping to foil an Hamilton Armourguard robbery by ramming his vehicle into a getaway car this afternoon.

Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Greene said police usually encouraged the public not to get involved in such situations.

But in this case the man's actions had slowed the offenders' escape enough to allow police to get to the scene.

Five men were arrested.

Mr Greene said police received dozens of 111 calls following the 1.40pm robbery at the Westfield Shopping Centre in suburban Chartwell.

"It appears at this stage that the crew of an Armourguard security van have been assaulted by some of the occupants of a silver Nissan sedan on the second floor of the Chartwell shopping centre's car park building and a large some of money was taken," Mr Greene said.

"One witness, a builder, wasn't happy with just phoning in what was happening and decided to intervene, driving his vehicle into the robbers' getaway car."

- NZPA