A man was arrested last night following a brazen smash-and-grab at a Michael Hill store in West Auckland yesterday afternoon.
Police were called to Westgate’s NorthWest Shopping Centre at 3.45pm after receiving reports of an aggravated robbery at the mall.
It was alleged that thieves took several items before fleeing in a vehicle that police located abandoned in nearby Regents Park a short time later.
Later yesterday, a 27-year-old man was arrested and charged in relation to the robbery.
Shortly after 9pm, officers responded to reports of a vehicle travelling on Browns Road in Manurewa.
Soon after, the eagle helicopter was deployed and followed the vehicle – reporting its movements to officers on the ground.
“The vehicle allegedly failed to stop for police when signalled to do so and was observed driving in a concerning manner throughout the area,” Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said.
The vehicle eventually came to a stop on Rowandale Rd.
“The driver left the area on foot. However, he was located and taken into custody a short time later without further incident,” Baldwin said.
He was due to appear before the Waitākere District Court this morning on charges relating to aggravated robbery and failing to stop.
Baldwin said police enquiries into the robbery wre still ongoing he asked anyone in the community with information to come forward.
“We ask anyone with footage or information which may assist to please contact Police via our 105 phone service or online at 105.police.govt.nz using Update My Report.”
Police have ramped up their presence at malls in Auckland following a spate of similar robberies.
A Newmarket store was allegedly robbed on April 14 after previously being ram-raided by a group of hooded thieves on April 12.
On April 14, a store in St Lukes was also robbed, and on April 18, dramatic footage showed a group of alleged armed thieves fleeing from Dress Smart in Onehunga.
“As we have previously said, the Operation Dusk investigation team making enquiries into recent alleged offending at jewellery stores in Tāmaki Makaurau, are reviewing and assessing whether this incident is associated with previous incidents of the same nature,” Baldwin said.
