Robbers relieve guard of $50,000

Police examine the robbers' fire-damaged getaway car where it was found in the St Lukes shopping centre carpark. Picture / Kenny Rodger

Armed robbers stole up to $50,000 from outside an Auckland bank yesterday without even getting out of their stolen getaway car.

The robbery took place outside the Westpac Bank in Ponsonby, shortly after two Chubb security guards arrived to collect a bag of money about 3.30pm.

Witnesses saw a red Mazda liftback slowly pull up to park near the Chubb van.

When one of the guards returned from the bank with the money, the hooded robbers made their move.

The driver reversed the car until it was alongside the van, effectively blocking the footpath and the guard's means of escape.

A man in the back seat then pointed a double-barrelled shotgun out the window and threatened the guard, who responded by throwing the bag of money at him through the open window.

Police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty said the Mazda, which had been stolen from Dean St, Grey Lynn, earlier in the day, then sped off.

The driver of the Chubb van, who had been seated in the vehicle while his colleague collected the cash, gave chase but lost the Mazda in Collingwood St.

Witnesses say police arrived within a minute of being called and the Eagle helicopter was in the air.

Less than 20 minutes later, police found the Mazda partly burned out in the St Lukes shopping centre carpark. The men and the money were gone.

Ms Hegarty said up to $50,000 was stolen.

Witnesses say the way the Mazda pulled up, then reversed alongside the van, blocking the footpath, gave weight to the theory that the robbery had been well planned.

"It was so practised, so cool, calm and collected," said one.

The security guard was shaken but not injured during the robbery, some of which was filmed by the bank's external security cameras.

Police are still examining the footage but say the robbers were Maori or Pacific Island in appearance.

The driver wore a black hooded sweatshirt and had a small moustache. The gunman wore a red hooded sweatshirt and dark sunglasses.

A Westpac spokesman said the bag of cash became the responsibility of the security guards once they collected it so the bank was not liable for the stolen money.

Auckland City police would like to hear from witnesses to the robbery, the robbers' getaway or the fire at St Lukes. Phone (09) 302-6400.