A violent aggravated robbery at the ASB Bank in the Three Kings suburb shortly after nine o'clock this morning has Avondale CIB staff on the hunt for two offenders who detained the bank's security guard moments before they attacked.
At the time of the robbery there were up to five customers in the bank, along with four staff.
The offenders were armed with a firearm and a crowbar, which one of them used to prise open tills after demanding money.
Witnesses describe the offenders as Polynesian or Maori men who were wearing black trousers, black hooded sweat shirts, gloves and black balaclavas.
All customers were forced to the ground and held at gun point by one offender while the other kicked in a door leading to the rear of the bank where he jemmied open the tellers' tills. While one of the customers was lying on the bank floor, the offender with the firearm has reached over and taken cash from her hand.
The offenders left the scene in a silver Mitsubishi Airtek station wagon with the registration DBG676. They drove out of the Three Kings Plaza using the Henshaw Street exit. The vehicle was later found abandoned on Fyvie Avenue, Three Kings. The getaway vehicle had been stolen from Mt Roskill the night before.
Anyone who may have information about the offenders or who witnessed some of this morning's events should contact the Avondale CIB on 09 820-5781 or 0274 946 683 or e-mail Avondale Police.
It's not known how much money the offenders got away with.
ENDS Issued by Noreen Hegarty Auckland City Police Communications Manager Ph 09 302 6947 or 0274-951-589 Website: www.police.govt.nz