Police patrolling in Auckland’s Birkenhead increased after stabbing, robbery within a week

Eight days after a critically injured man was found “completely drenched in blood” following a brutal brazen stabbing on Auckland’s North Shore, police have yet to identify the offender.

Armed police swarmed Birkenhead Ave last Tuesday, February 4, after a member of the public found the man with stab wounds.

The police response forced an early childhood centre into lockdown, requiring parents to be escorted by police to pick up their children.

“We drove past when [it] just happened. Man completely drenched in blood on the ground, made me so upset to see. Really hope he’s okay but [it] doesn’t look good,” one witness recalled on social media.

Armed police swarmed Birkenhead Ave on the North Shore last week after a man was found critically injured with stab wounds. Photo / Sylvie Whinray

Police last week said the man was in a stable condition in hospital, and said they believed it was not a “random incident”, but have provided no further updates.

Meanwhile, police say they have increased “reassurance patrolling” in the North Shore suburb after the aggravated robbery of a cash-in-transit Armourguard van on the same road yesterday afternoon.

Police yesterday said an “unconfirmed amount of cash” was taken when security staff carrying out a delivery to an ATM on Birkenhead Ave were approached by a man just before 2.30pm.

“No one has been injured ... The offender fled the immediate scene on foot and at this stage we believe he has left in a vehicle,” police said.

A nearby worker told the Herald the man was wearing black with an orange high-vis jacket, a white mask and black goggles.

“He parked behind the Armourguard car ... he pointed a gun at the security guard,” they said.

Police respond to an ATM machine on Birkenhead Ave yesterday following the robbery of a cash-in-transit van.

“He took a bag of money [and] drove away in a black [Suzuki] Swift.”

Inspector Mike Rickards said a scene examination was completed at the ATM machine yesterday evening.

“We are increasing reassurance patrolling for businesses and residents through that busy public space in Birkenhead.

“It is anticipated this will be carried out over the coming days alongside other demand.”

Rickards said police would not be able to discuss the specifics of the two investigations.

“Investigators from the Waitematā CIB are continuing to progress in their work to identify and hold offenders to account.”

He said police understand the concern with two serious offences occurring so close to each other.

“It’s likely to be the exception than the norm with two unrelated incidents occurring on the same road within a week of each other.”

Shanan Halbert, a Labour list MP based in Northcote, told the Herald it was “terrible” to hear about the robbery after a stabbing in the community last week.

“I’m hoping that security footage will help these cases. It has created fear in our community and people shouldn’t have to feel this way.”

Police continue to ask anyone who has information to come forward via the 105 phone service using the reference number 250211/1336.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.