Police release CCTV footage of armed robbery at Auckland golf club

Police have released CCTV footage of a robbery at an Auckland golf club in which three men held the club manager at gunpoint.

Brett Bending was cashing up by himself at Huapai Golf Club, north of Auckland, about 9.20pm on Wednesday, January 11, when three men busted in with handguns and demanded money.

It was Bending's one year work anniversary at the club.

Bending was threatened with the guns and forced to lie on the ground for a short time before being ordered into the office.

In the next three minutes, the three offenders stole several items from the club and fled with money.

"They've taken a number of distinctive cash boxes that were locked and will require force and the use of tools to open," Detective Kim Davison said.

"It may be that the offenders have since thrown these away and someone may have seen them laying somewhere."

One of the cash boxes was brownish/gold coloured and described as looking like an old WWII magazine box. Its keyhole is on the top.

One of them was wearing a distinctive black hoodie with the word "underated" written in white down the right arm and two white stripes on the left arm. A light-coloured bandana covered his face.

The alleged offenders at the golf club. Photo / supplied by NZ Police

Another of the men is described as being of solid build. He was wearing a dark beanie and a black and grey Nike wind-runner jacket. The body of the jacket is black with the top half being a distinctive grey marbled pattern. He was carrying a pistol.

The third offender was wearing a black puffer jacket possibly with a hood and a black cap. He was also wearing black Nike sneakers with white sole and white Nike Swoosh. He was carrying a pistol.

Bending told the Herald he felt "numb" following the incident. He was waiting for the shock and fear to kick in.

"I don't know when I'll drop a glass and lose it. I'll be cashing up and there'll be a noise and it'll all come floating back.

"I've never had anything like that before."

Bending thought the men were under 30 and one was the leader. He was the one who did most of the talking.

"One was calm and assertive. The other two followed what he said."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Rodney CIB on 09 427 4532.

Anonymous information can also be given to the organisation Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.