Concern over armed robberies

File Photo / NZ Herald

Auckland police are concerned about two brazen armed robberies in two days in which the offenders were not afraid to use violence.

No shots were fired but in one of the incidents a security guard was hospitalised after being assaulted.

Yesterday, two Armourguard security officers were approached by two men, one apparently carrying a firearm, outside the Sylvia Park ANZ Bank about 10.30am.

The offenders threatened the officers and demanded money before driving off in a stolen silver BMW, registration EGZ366, which was found abandoned shortly afterward in the Countdown, Mt Wellington, carpark.

Both offenders were wearing black clothes and their faces were masked with balaclavas.

On Wednesday, two men entered the National Bank in Panmure about 3pm and robbed it of a sum of money at gunpoint.

One of the offenders was carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and the other man was possibly also carrying a gun.

A security guard was assaulted after having one of the firearms pointed at him.

He was treated in hospital but has since been discharged.

There were four customers in the bank at the time, none of whom were physically harmed, but a National Bank spokesperson said staff were very shaken by the incident and had been offered counselling.

Police found the stolen getaway car, a blue Mazda Familia, registration ELM101, nearby on Basin View Lane, Panmure, about 6pm.

The offenders were described as Maori or Polynesian, of average height, aged between 20 and 30 and wearing dark clothing. One was solidly built the other was of medium build.

Detective Constable Richard Sami, of Glen Innes police, said the two incidents could be related but it was not certain at this stage.

It was extremely concerning that firearms had been involved, and that the offenders were not afraid to use violence, he said.

A team of detectives was compiling evidence from witnesses and examining CCTV footage and the two stolen cars.

Police are appealing for sightings of the BMW or the Mazda Familia involved in the heists.

- NZPA