Manurewa Police are investigating after an aggravated robbery at the Dollar Dealers store in Southmall, Manurewa.
Between 9:15am and 9:35am on 26 September 2013 two offenders stole a 2000 model silver Nissan Liberty (registration ETJ549) from a carpark located behind shops near the Station Road railway overbridge. The two offenders drove the car a short distance to Dollar Dealers on Great South Road and parked outside.
At about 9:40am a disguised man entered the store armed with a sawn off shotgun about 40cm long. He walked directly to a glass display counter and fired one shot at the glass. No people were injured during the robbery.
The offender then went back to the stolen car which backed away from the shops and drove the same way it had come, through the carpark and onto Maich Road. The car turned right onto Corin Ave. On Corin Ave the car drove down a long right-of-way driveway that services a number of properties. The car was left with the doors open and engine running as the two offenders fled either in another vehicle or on foot. A small amount of property stolen from the shop was located in the car.
The offender who entered the store is described as male Maori or Polynesian about 170-180cm tall. He was wearing a dark hoody, black jeans, a dark beanie and had his face covered by a dark bandanna with white marks. No information is available on the second offender who was driving the car.
Police are interested to hear from anyone who witnessed the car being stolen behind the shops, the robbery at Dollar Dealers, or people running from the scene where the stolen car was located at 3 Corin Ave.
Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Pizzini from the Manurewa CIB says Police are concerned that a firearm was discharged during the robbery.
"It is concerning to us that a firearm was used in this crime and particularly that it was discharged in the store with members of the public present," says Detective Senior Sergeant Pizzini.
"We urge anyone who witnessed the car being stolen or people running from Corin Ave to come forward to assist the investigation."
At least a dozen witnesses have been interviewed and CCTV footage from the store is expected to provide more information about the offenders. Anyone with information relating to the investigation is urged to come forward by calling Manurewa CIB on 09 2950200 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Any CCTV footage that reveals details about the offenders or incident will be released when available.
ENDS
Issued by Kimberley Mathews/Communications Manager
Counties Manukau Police
0274 342 218