Shopkeepers at a jewellery store in a Hamilton mall are taking stock today after it was raided by thieves in a horrifying daylight robbery which left other retailers traumatised.
A group of at least seven masked and armed robbers were seen smashing glass cabinets and taking items from Michael Hill Jewellers at The Base, Te Rapa around 11.30am on Sunday.
The store is closed today and is guarded by a security officer.
While all seems normal again at the mall, the terrifying events are still well and truly on the minds of retail staff in the mall.
One worker, whose store is very close to Michael Hill, was so traumatised that they could not bring themselves to recount the incident, relaying that it was too soon.
Another, who travels between stores across the country, says dealing with retail burglaries has become her new normal.
"This is not the first time this has happened to our team which is really sad," she said.
She said her staff member who was working at the time was distraught.
However, a Herald reporter at the mall today only saw one security guard and no police officers.
Detective senior sergeant Kristine Clarke said police are following strong lines of inquiry, including working to determine if the burglary is connected to another one earlier that day on Hukanui Rd in Chartwell which left a security guard injured.
"The investigation team is grateful to people for contacting police with information and footage," said Clarke.
"Police recognise that people will be shaken by these events and may have concerns about their safety while shopping.
"Our inquiries are still in the very early stages, and we ask anyone who has not yet been in touch with police to call 105, quoting job number 220925/5685 for the Chartwell incident or 220925/6221 for The Base incident."