Police release film of masked armed raiders

Masked men are shown entering the Bellbird Arms Tavern where they told staff and customers to lie on the ground. Photo / Supplied

Police have released security footage of three masked men who robbed a South Auckland tavern at gunpoint on Tuesday.

The men entered the Bellbird Arms Tavern in McAnnalley St, Manurewa, about 12.20pm with a sawn-off shotgun, police said.

They ordered staff to open a cash safe and the till of the TAB counter, before leaving through a back door with between $16,000 and $20,000 cash.

A driver was waiting for the men in a four-door Nissan Cefiro which was stolen from East Tamaki that morning.

The car was later recovered in Manurewa.

Counties Manukau police Detective Sergeant Eddie Sutherland said witnesses were being interviewed and police were carrying out scene examinations.

Tavern manager Brian McKinnon said there were about 15 customers in the bar at the time of the robbery.

He was worried a customer might "do something stupid" like run at the robbers, and get hurt.

Police said one of the offenders was wearing a dark hooded Puma top, dark trousers with a white stripe down the side, white trainers, black gloves and a red face covering and was carrying the firearm.

A second man wore a blue baseball cap, a black puffer jacket with white stripes down the sleeve, black trousers, black shoes, black gloves and a dark face covering.

The third man wore a bright blue hooded top under a black jacket, black trousers, white trainers and a dark blue patterned face covering.

- NZPA