Police offering rewards for information on aggravated robberies

Although this offender's face is not visible, police hope someone may recognise the build and clothing. Photo / Supplied

Auckland City Police are continuing to appeal for information from the public about two aggravated robberies of cash-in-transit vans.

A reward is being offered for any information provided through Crimestoppers that leads to a successful prosecution of offenders committing aggravated robberies, as part of a recent stolen goods campaign.

The first robbery happened on April 20 about 4.40pm outside the ASB Bank in Dominion Rd, Mt Roskill. Two offenders threatened staff before taking off with an undisclosed amount of cash, Detective Inspector Aaron Pascoe said.

The offenders were in a stolen silver Mitsubishi ASX vehicle, registration HQH403. The vehicle was left at the robbery and the two offenders were last seen running towards the rear of the shops. They could have fled in another vehicle towards Jasper Ave or Mt Albert Rd.

Police hope people will recognise the person in a photo taken by a security camera. Despite the person's face not being visible, police hope someone might recognise the build and clothing.

The second robbery was about 3.40pm on May 9 outside the Warehouse in Pah Rd, Royal Oak.

Three offenders, one armed with a firearm, accosted van guards as they exited the store, threatened them and took off with cash, Pascoe said.

The offenders left in a stolen white Fiat Punto motor vehicle, registration JFZ737 which was found shortly after, not far from the store.

"Both of these robberies have happened in broad daylight in public places, where ordinary law-abiding people are going about their business. The public, and the people who work on cash-in-transit vans should not live in fear of being confronted by criminals with guns" Pascoe said.

Police across Auckland are prioritising aggravated robberies and have a taskforce investigating and preventing these crimes, he said.

"Police are continuing to work closely with the cash-in-transit companies in an attempt to prevent any further offending. While we are unable to go into details on these plans, we want to make it very clear to anybody out there who thinks it is their business to carry out a robbery that we have a number of staff working on this issue and patrolling high risk areas.

"We are also asking our community to keep their eyes open, especially around cash-in-transit vehicles, and if you see anything suspicious, then do not hesitate to call 111 immediately.

"There will no doubt be other members of the criminal fraternity who know about these offences and have said nothing. The public has had enough of the greed and selfishness of armed robbers. Ordinary law-abiding people have the right to live and work in a community free from crime. You have an opportunity to tell us what you know."

Anyone with information about the robberies is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Tony McKenzie on (09) 302 6970 Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.