Threatening dairy attack: 'They had a big machete held to her head'

The Ram's New Windsor Superette on New Windsor Rd was robbed yesterday afternoon. Photo / Google

By Meghan Lawrence

The owner of a dairy that was robbed at knifepoint recalls the moment offenders held a machete to his wife's head.

Hasmukh Patel, owner of Ram's New Windsor Superette, said his wife fled for her life when two masked assailants entered their New Windsor Rd shop just after 3pm yesterday.

Hasmukh had left his wife, Jagruti Patel, in charge of the store while he popped out to collect their children from school.

On his return he was told of the shocking incident that occurred during his absence.

"My wife was standing outside when she saw somebody coming with a knife so she ran away from them," he said.

"They chased her inside, because she wanted to come inside the house and lock the door, but she couldn't lock the door before they broke it and got her.

"They grabbed my wife and asked her to open the cash register and to stay still and not go anywhere.

"They had a big machete held to her head and my wife was very scared. She was so scared she couldn't say anything to them."

Hasmukh said the assailants wore masks and hoodies and stole money and cigarettes before leaving the store.

A police spokesman said officers were called to the dairy at 57 New Windsor Rd at 3.20pm.

Hasmukh said he feels lucky that nobody was hurt, but has been left frightened and unsure of what to do.

"It is scary, but we can't give up just like that because my kids are too young and we can't find separate jobs because who will look after the kids.

"We also can't survive on one income.

"We can't do anything, it is scary, but we will be alright."

The incident followed another aggravated robbery at 3pm of Marlowe Superette in Blockhouse Bay, a mere five minutes drive away.

Around 3pm yesterday police were also called to an aggravated robbery at Marlowe Superette in Blockhouse Bay.

A police spokesperson said at this stage of the investigation police believe the robberies are linked.

"Police are continuing to make further enquiries which includes reviewing CCTV footage and gathering and assessing forensic evidence."

Police also believe a vehicle linked to the robberies was stolen.

ROBBERY PREVENTION:

Detective Inspector Gary Lendrum, of Counties Manukau CIB, said as a result of the recent spike in robberies in the Auckland region "a whole raft of" prevention measures have been put in place.

"We are making multiple arrests every week in respect of robberies so the enforcement side of things is happening, but on the prevention side of things there is a whole raft of things going on there as well."

Detective Inspector Gary Lendrum, of Counties Manukau CIB.

Lendrum said dairies and petrol stations are the main target of robberies, with bars and liquor outlets also an occasional target.

"We are doing a lot of work with the retailers trying to 'target hard' the premises and make them not so appealing to potential robbers.

"We look see if it is something about the environmental design, the location, the activity that goes on in the area etc.

"One of the simplest things that dairy owners can do is remove the material off the front of their windows so people that are walking past or driving past can actually see what is going on.

"The way the store is set up, where the counter is positioned, and that type of thing can also be taken into consideration."

He said other key messages directed to retailers are not to hold large sums of cash on premises and to communicate with neighbouring shops or residents.

"We are also doing a lot more patrolling activity, so we have identified areas that are continually getting hit and people should see an increase in police presence in those areas, both overtly and covertly."

Lendrum said a lot of the offenders involved in robberies are youth, and are offending "time and time again".

"All of these people who are committing these offences are living in our communities and they don't disguise the fact that they are doing it.

"They will be bragging about these robberies on social media and amongst their friends and it is time people actually said enough is enough and contacted us.

"Is it really anti-social behaviour and has the real potential to cause serious injury."