Two masked offenders who stormed a petrol station and fired blank shots into the roof have sparked a police hunt. The incident occurred at the Mobil on Massey Rd in Mangere about 2.45am on Tuesday. Graphic CCTV footage of the raid has been released by police in an attempt to find the two men involved. Source: Counties Manukau Police/Facebook
Two masked offenders who stormed a petrol station and fired blank shots into the roof have sparked a police hunt.
The incident occurred at the Mobil on Massey Rd in Mangere about 2.45am on Tuesday.
Graphic CCTV footage of the raid has been released by police in an attempt to find the two men involved.
The pair - brandishing hand guns and wearing masks over their faces and hoodies - entered the petrol station at speed and fired blank shots into the ceiling.
One of the men leapt over the counter and grabbed handfuls of cigarette packets before the pair left. No cash was taken.
Counties Manukau Police spokeswoman Shelley Nahr said the incident "terrified" the workers inside the store.
"They were blanks, they weren't actual bullets, but obviously the people in there didn't know that so it was very terrifying for them.
"One of the workers called police but one of the station workers followed the two men in his car...they fired a shot at him. It was again a blank but he didn't know that."
It is the second time the Massey Rd Mobil has been hit in less than a month.
Police are investigating whether the same pair involved in the latest incident were responsible for the first robbery at the Mobil, in late August, as well as another at the Bader Drive BP petrol station on September 6.
Police have issued an appeal for the community to identify the men. Photo / Supplied via police
Cash and cigarettes were taken in the previous robberies and the offenders have left on foot all three times.
"We're investigating whether or not they're linked to others because it was the same sort of [routine], going in and firing a shot in the ceiling," Ms Nahr said.
Counties Manukau Police have issued an appeal for the community to identify the two men from the CCTV footage on Facebook.
"Someone in the community knows who these two males are and we need to find them before they hurt someone," police posted.
One of the men is wearing a branded navy blue hoodie with a white t-shirt and dark pants in the footage, while the other is wearing a dark hoodie and navy blue shorts.
Anyone with information can contact Manukau Crime Squad on (09) 261 1321 or you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
