Shotguns used in armed robbery

Two men who used pump action shotguns to rob an east Auckland bank today got away with tens of thousands of dollars, including a mix of foreign currency, say police.

They warned people not to change it, or to call police if they knew of anyone trying to change the notes.

The two men, medium built Maori or Polynesians, wore hooded sweatshirts and had scarves covering their faces and burst into the Westpac bank on Te Irirangi drive at Botany Junction shortly after it opened.

"The offenders left the area in a maroon-coloured, Honda CRV Station Wagon, registration number DQJ 5, that was driven by a third offender. The vehicle was dumped a short distance from the bank," said Detective Senior Sergeant Pete Jones.

He said the police wanted to hear from anyone in the area who may have seen the robbery or the car to call police.

"Police also request members of the public be aware of suspicious people attempting to change large amounts of foreign exchange currency," he said.

- NZPA