Security guard assaulted in foiled jewellery store aggravated robbery in Mt Roskill

A security guard has been bashed in the head by armed assailants during a thwarted aggravated robbery at a Mount Roskill jewellery store this afternoon.

Footage seen by the Herald shows an offender hitting the security guard in the head with a hammer.

The offenders tried to break into the jewellery store’s reinforced glass but were unsuccessful.

A police spokeswoman said officers received reports of the attempted robbery at a business on Stoddard Rd just after 4pm.

“A group of four or five offenders approached the store with weapons, not firearms, and were challenged by a security guard, who they subsequently assaulted,” she said.

Attempted armed robbery at the Sona Sansaar jewellery shop, Tulja Centre, Stoddard Rd. Photo / Hayden Woodward

“Staff in the store had seen this unfold and dropped a security grille, preventing the offenders from gaining entry to the store.”

The offenders tried to smash their way through the door but were unsuccessful and fled in a car, the police spokeswoman said.

“The car was located abandoned a short distance away,” she said.

There was an attempted armed robbery at Sona Sansaar jewellery shop, Tulja Centre, Stoddard Rd. Photo / Hayden Woodward

A security guard is struck in the head with a hammer. Photo / Supplied

“The security guard has been checked by ambulance and fortunately only has minor injuries.

“I can confirm no guns were seen and no shots were fired,” the police spokeswoman said.

Enquiries are under way to identify and locate the offenders.

The Herald spoke to a man who confirmed his family-owned jewellery store, Sona Sansaar, had been targeted by the robbers.

“They tried to smash their way in, but we managed to get our security grille down and they didn’t get away with anything,” said the man, who gave his name as Lodhia.

The security guard has been transported to hospital but the owner, Consulate of the Republic of Fiji Harish Lodhia JP, says he will “be okay”.

He said insurance will not cover the damages.

A nearby shop owner told the Herald she saw the security guard running away after he was struck and being chased by the armed offender who attacked him.

Dairy & Business Owners Group chair and Crime Prevention Group president Sunny Kaushal said the offenders attacked the security guard and tried to break into the jewellery store.

“They assaulted the security guard, and that’s very serious. He has been taken to the hospital,” Kaushal said.

“I’ve spoken to the owners and they are pretty shaken. This is not the first time it has happened with them.”

Kaushal said crimes of this nature were happening “almost every other day” and the retailers were becoming victims of offenders who had no fear of the law, police, or of being caught.

“New Zealand society is fast becoming a violent society, and we need to stop it,” he said.

“We would like to see the police apprehending these offenders fast and the justice system holding them to account, sending a strong message out.”