Jordan said as the men tried to take off, the man driving the getaway moped let the clutch off too quickly, forcing the front tyre to lift off the ground.
The moped was later found in the nearby East Tāmaki area, Counties Manukau CIB detective senior sergeant Veronica McPherson said on Monday.
Scene examinations were carried out after the robbery, and inquiries are ongoing.
Jordan said the work the police had done and mall security had been of the highest standard and he was very impressed.
Amy Walsh talks to the Herald about search efforts after her 19 year old daughter Maia Johnston disappeared in Totara Park Upper Hutt. Video / NZ Herald