Police guard the scene of a reported aggravated robbery at Michael Hill Jeweller in Whangārei. Photo / Michael Cunningham
Police guard the scene of a reported aggravated robbery at Michael Hill Jeweller in Whangārei. Photo / Michael Cunningham
Staff at a jeweller in downtown Whangārei were pushed to the floor as thieves brandishing weapons carried out an aggravated robbery in broad daylight.
Whangārei area commander Inspector Maria Nordstrom said a group of six offenders used a stolen vehicle to make their way to the Michael Hill Jeweller store on Cameron St.
Around 3.47pm, when the city centre was bustling, the group entered the store, reportedly wearing balaclavas and brandishing weapons. Nordstrom did not say what type of weapons.
“Two people have been assaulted during the course of this brazen incident, and while injuries are not serious, they are being provided treatment,” Nordstrom said.
An Advocate reporter at the scene described seeing a staff member with a cut above her cheekbone.
Constable Steve Curac said City Safe security guards alerted police to the robbery taking place, and when officers arrived, the group fled with some jewellery taken from the store.
He said two staff members were pushed to the floor during the incident. Both were too distressed to comment when approached by the Advocate.
Police at the scene of a reported ram-raid at Michael Hill Jeweller in Whangārei. Photo / Michael Cunningham
A passerby described seeing smoke still billowing from the shop entrance, believed to be caused by a fog cannon. Shards of glass litter the shop floor near shattered cabinets used to display jewellery.
Nordstrom, commending the fast actions of police, said officers quickly located the group of offenders in a nearby area, which the Advocate believes to have been in Raumanga.
There, the group were taken into custody, with charges expected to be laid in due course.
“Our investigation is still in the very early stages and we are still establishing what has been taken during the incident. However, we can confirm some jewellery has been recovered,” Nordstrom said.
Some of the jewellery taken has been recovered by police. Photo / Michael Cunningham
She reassured the public that police are continuing to hold offenders to account for these types of crimes and offending against businesses continues to be taken seriously.
“The brazen violence is unacceptable and has no place in our communities.”
Earlier this year, Michael Hill announced it was beefing up security at stores elsewhere around the country due to the number of daylight smash-and-grabs endured.
Thirty-four security guards were stationed at all of the jeweller’s North Island stores. They were in addition to an earlier rollout of safety measures which included fog cannons, alarm screamers, personal alarms for staff, additional security cameras and the use of DNA spray technology.
Michael Hill CEO Daniel Bracken said they were continuing to review their security measures to ensure they are “as robust and fail-safe as possible” while also working closely with police on surveillance, security measures and apprehension of criminals.
“With the recent, alarming offending across the Waikato, Wellington and New Plymouth, we have identified the need to bolster our security presence outside of Auckland, which has previously held the highest footprint of security guards across our stores.
“The key priority for us is the protection of our team members and customers. Every New Zealander should be able to go to work or visit a store and feel safe,” Bracken said.
