Multiple shops were targeted at the Ormiston town centre shopping mall early this morning. Video / NZ Herald
Security and cleaning staff working in a mall were put in peril as three stolen vehicles drove into east Auckland's Ormiston Town Centre shopping centre during a daring overnight ram raid.
Police said numerous offenders entered three stores in the Flat Bush complex about 1.10am, taking a number of electronicitems and clothing.
"The offenders' behaviour and manner of driving endangered security and cleaning staff working in the retail complex at the time," said a spokesperson.
The group fled in two of the stolen vehicles.
Police were now investigating the raid, including reviewing CCTV footage, said the spokesperson.
Shattered glass and twisted metal were left behind. Noel Leeming was one of those targeted.
A large television was destroyed during the ram raids. Photo / Hayden Woodward
A man at the scene said empty iPad and microwave oven boxes were strewn outside the electronics store, and a "massive" television had been broken. Shattered glass was everywhere, he said.
A Postie worker spoken to by the Herald said damage to the store was minimal, and they believed those involved may have mistaken the shop's red branding for the technology and appliance shop next door.
The Herald understands young people used the vehicles to smash through an entrance to the Ormiston mall before driving through the retail complex and ram-raiding the stores.
Police appealed to anyone with information to contact them on 105, quoting P050366870 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
