Man dies in suspected burglary attempt

Police at the scene in on New North Road. Photo / Brett Phibbs

A man is dead after what police believe was an attempted burglary at an Auckland pharmacy this morning.

An area of New North Road in the Auckland suburb of Mount Albert has been cordoned off and police are at the scene.

Senior Sergeant Lance Gardiner said a security guard went to Gillard Pharmacy after the property's security alarm was set off.

"Our understanding is that it may have been a burglary," Mr Gardiner said.

Earlier, police had said that the security guard found the body but police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty said this is not the case.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene by ambulance staff at about 6am.

Western area commander, Inspector Jim Wilson, said the man's body will remain at the scene for most of the day before being removed for a post-mortem examination.

"We are investigating the circumstances of the death and are in the process of locating the man's next of kin," Mr Wilson said.

He said police and ESR staff will be doing a scene examination and talking to the owner of the pharmacy.

It is not yet clear how the man died.

- NZHERALD STAFF

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