New Lynn dairy owner and wife traumatised after trio hold them up at gunpoint

Three armed men robbed New Lynn's Rimu dairy yesterday afternoon, escaping with $5000 worth of cigarettes. Photo / Google

By Linda Filiai

A New Lynn dairy owner and his wife have been left traumatised and unable to sleep after being robbed by three men at gunpoint.

Two of the robbers were masked and carrying firearms when they walked into the Rimu Superette yesterday afternoon about 4pm and pointed the guns at the terrified owner.

The man's wife was also in the store at the time, but was not seen by the robbers, and fled unharmed.

"They had a black pistol, a small one that you can hold with one hand," said the owner, who asked not to be named.

"I ran out after they pointed the gun at me."

The owner said the offenders escaped with $5000 worth of cigarettes.

One of the men attempted to get money out of the shop's cash register but was unsuccessful.

The owner said no customer were in the shop when the incident occurred. It was the first time his store had been robbed.

Police said the offenders fled in a stolen vehicle.

They said incident is under investigation and it was fortunate the store owners were unharmed.

"These offenders must be held to account and police are appealing to the public to come forward if they have any information that can assist with our inquiries," said Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Kelly Farrant.

Anyone with information that can help lead police to these offenders should contact Detective Senior Sergeant Farrant at Waitakere Police on (09) 839 0600, or the Waitemata Crime Car on (09) 837 9511. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

"Police would also like to remind the community that we will be offering a reward for any information provided through Crimestoppers as part of our recent stolen goods campaign that leads to a successful prosecution of offenders committing aggravated robberies."