Pair hold up liquor shop with bloody syringe

A blood-filled syringe was used to hold up a liquor store in central Auckland last night.

The owner of the shop, Balmoral Wines & Spirits in Dominion Rd, suffered minor injuries after he chased the robbers and was struck by their getaway car. St John Ambulance staff treated him at the scene.

Police said the syringe was used as a weapon in the robbery but it was not known if the robbers were given alcohol or money before they fled the shop, dropping the needle.

A witness who was dining across the road said he saw a man and a woman hold up the store with the syringe. He watched the pair leave the shop with the owner following them.

"He tried to stop the car but the guy driving the car crashed into him. I think he just hurt his leg."