Two people have been seriously injured, the wife of a dairy owner and a customer, by a pair of hammer-wielding robbers after a Mount Roskill store became the latest target of an aggravated robbery.
The owner of the Jyotis Dairy, Jayanti Patel, told the Herald his wife is now in Auckland Hospital unable to speak.
“There was blood coming down, running all over her body,” Patel said.
Patel showed the Herald security footage of the attack. One man ran behind the counter and swiped his hammer at the woman. The fog cannon then went off from above her, obscuring her and any blows she received.
Another man swung his hammer at the woman from in front of the counter.
Patel was shopping at the time of the incident when police phoned him and told him to return to his shop urgently.
He said two men came into the shop on Mount Albert Rd in Mount Roskill and attacked his wife between 4pm and 5pm.
Patel has owned the dairy for about 15 years and said similar incidents had happened in the past, but no one had been hurt like in tonight’s incident as they’d been able to escape out the back of the shop.
“She [my wife] couldn’t get out. One of them was blocking her way,” Patel said.
Police said the attackers took tobacco and cash before fleeing the store. The offenders are still at large.
“Why does this happen [in broad daylight]? That means [the offenders] are [not] scared,” the store owner said.
“I am shaking. What am I to do in the morning? I don’t want to open, but we need [customers] because if we’re not open how can I pay for my mortgage and everything?”
Patel said the customer escaped before being too hurt. He understood the customer, a man, had been shoved.
Inside the shop, a Herald reporter could see the till was damaged and goods had been strewn across the floor. Blood could be seen smeared on the counter.
A police spokesperson said they were called to the store at about 4.30pm after two people suffered serious injuries and were both taken to hospital.
Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information to assist the investigation to contact police on 105 quoting the reference number P055229454.
Tonight’s attack is not far from where Janak Patel was killed at the Rose Cottage Superette in Sandringham last year.
The 34-year-old’s death sparked a large outcry among small business owners and workers across the country, many calling for the Government to do more to combat crime.
Three men have been charged with murder over his death and are currently before the courts.
Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022.
Rachel Maher is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. She has worked for the Herald since 2022.
