Police say machete robbers could strike again

Detective Sergeant Andy King. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Police are concerned a marauding gang of machete-wielding muggers who struck four times early yesterday could do so again.

Six pedestrians in four different locations around Auckland were threatened with the weapon and robbed of their cellphones and cah by the three men and one woman in the early hours of the morning.

The first aggravated robbery occurred on Dominion Rd in Mt Eden, the next at Mission Bay, then on Customs St in the city, and the last at the intersection of Balmoral and St Andrews Rds in Epsom.

Detective Sergeant Andy King said the fact that the muggers were very aggressive in their demands and appeared to have been calculated in their actions was of great concern.

"People should be able to go out and about and enjoy themselves and walk the streets in safety but unfortunately when you get a group like this around it gives police great concerns for members of the public's safety," he said

No was injured in the robberies but all the victims were "very intimidated and very scared for their safety".

"Obviously the concern is they will do it again if they're not caught," Mr King said.

The offenders were all Caucasian and aged in their late teens to early 20s.

They were dressed in dark, hooded sweatshirts, and the woman was believed to have blonde hair tied in a plait.

They were possibly travelling in a maroon or purple sedan.

Mr King appealed to anyone with information to come forward.

- NZPA