A quiet night in for a game of cards turned ugly shortly before 1am when five armed and disguised men burst into a Mt Roskill home where they shot a dog and assaulted at least one of the group of six card players.
Avondale Police and ESR scientists are carrying out a scene examination at the Duke St property where the events unfolded. Some of the victims are being interviewed with the assistance of Chinese interpreters.
The dog, a collie, is expected to survive and one of the male victims - of which there were four - was hospitalised after being assaulted with the butt of a rifle.
Detective Sergeant Rick Veacock says the offenders made off with thousands of dollars in cash, jewellery and a black 2003 Toyota Camry salloon, registration number FFB616.
"Obviously we would like to hear from anyone with information about who the offenders might be or where the stolen property, particularly the car, is.
"Although the offenders were wearing gloves and had their faces covered, they've been described to us by the victims as Maori or Polynesian males and they were armed with a hammer, a spade and three firearms.
"I don't believe this was a random act, given the amount of planning the offenders would have done in terms of disguising and arming themselves.
"The fact that these offenders were prepared to discharge a firearm at the dog is very worrying and we need to locate them as soon as possible before anyone else gets hurt."
The targeted address is not the home of all the victims, some of whom come from southern and western suburbs while others were local residents.
ENDS
Issued by Noreen Hegarty
Auckland City Police Communications Manager
Ph 09 302 6947 or 0274-951-589
Website: www.police.govt.nz