Shot fired in bottle store robbery

Police are appealing for any sightings of two men involved in a bottle store robbery in which a shot was fired.

At approximately 8.30pm last night, two men entered the Valley Wine Merchant in Henderson Valley Road, Auckland.

One of the men presented a pistol to one of the staff and demanded money. There were two staff and five customers present and they were told to get on the ground behind the counter after a shot was fired into a wooden cabinet.

One customer was kicked and punched by one of the offenders and suffered minor injuries.

Detective Jason McIntosh said: "In a situation like this anyone confronted by offenders should do what they say. One customer in the shop challenged the pair and this can simply aggravate the situation, especially when a firearm is involved. In this case the firearm was used after the offenders were challenged."

The pair took money from the till as well as wallets, mobile phones and a set of car keys from the staff and customers.

The two men are described as being Polynesian and approximately six foot tall.

One male was solidly built and wearing dark jeans and a dark sweatshirt with a grey beanie and had no facial hair. The second male of medium build was wearing a light sweatshirt with the hood pulled over his head and jeans.

Both men are described as being their twenties.

They left the shop and took one of the customers' car. The silver Mitsubishi Legnum station wagon was found parked about 600 metres away at the intersection of Landow Place and Parrs Cross Road.

Anyone with information can contact Detective McIntosh on (09) 839 0604.

- HERALD ONLINE STAFF