Masked man fires shot during attempted robbery in Auckland

The incident occurred the Southmall Shopping Centre in Manurewa

Staff at a shop in south Auckland escaped without injury after a masked man fired a shotgun in the store during a robbery this morning.

The man entered the Dollar Dealers on Great South Road, Manurewa, at around 9.40am and smashed a glass display counter with a shot from the gun before stealing a number of items and fleeing.

The man fled with a partner in a car the pair had stolen from a carpark near the Station Road railway overbridge earlier in the morning.

The silver Nissan Liberty, registration ETJ549, was then abandoned on a driveway off Corin Avenue, with the doors open and engine running, as the robbers made off.

A small amount of stolen goods were found inside the car, police said.

No-one was injured in the incident.

Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Pizzini from the Manurewa CIB said police are concerned about the use of a sawn-off shotgun, described as around 40cm long.

"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,'' he said.

"We urge anyone who witnessed the car being stolen or people running from Corin Avenue 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, Mr Pizzini said.

The gunman has been described as Maori or Polynesian, about 170cm to 180cm tall. He was wearing a dark hoodie, black jeans, a dark beanie hat and had his face covered by a dark bandanna with white marks.

No description of the second robber is available.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Manurewa CIB on 09 295 0200 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.