Sandringham dairy attack: Police plea for public to help, PM expresses sorrow

Detective Inspector Scott Beard has told media the homicide investigation into the attack on the dairy worker in Sandringham on Wednesday night is continuing, cordons remain in place and a scene examination will continue through the day.

A post-mortem examination will be in the near future.

The Sandringham community will see a big increase in police staff, as they look to identify the offender.

Hundreds have gathered outside the Rose Cottage Superette in Sandringham to pay tribute to the slain worker who was stabbed to death during a robbery last night. Photo / Dean Purcell

“What’s happened is a tragedy,” Beard said.

What police know

What police know is it was a lone offender who went into the dairy and committed the robbery.

The initial description is he was wearing dark clothing, a black cap, and dark tracksuit-type pants with white writing on the left leg.

He also had a black and white bandana on his face.

“I want to acknowledge the members of the community at the scene after it happened,” Beard said.

“We still want to hear from people in the community who have CCTV or were driving around at the time.

“It was still daylight, so anybody who has seen something, please contact the police.

“It’s possible the man was walking around in the area after the offence.

“The family is going through a tragedy.

“Victim support is in place.

Police have responded to a serious incident at the Rose Cottage Superette in Sandringham. Photo / Hayden Woodward

“Let us know, come to us, give us that answer.”

The victim is a 35-year-old male.

On reassurances for the community, Beard said they would feel apprehension about what happened but a large team was working to identify the offender.

“If somebody has seen somebody acting suspiciously before or afterwards, tell us.”

On what happened and what was taken during the robbery, Beard said it was early stages but a briefing from staff revealed the man went into the dairy to commit the robbery, and the till was stolen.

“It appears the till has gone and the victim was stabbed.”

PM Jacinda Ardern. Photo / Dean Purcell

Prime Minister’s ‘sorrow’

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has issued a heartfelt message to the family and community of the young dairy worker killed in Auckland overnight.

Hundreds have gathered outside the Rose Cottage Superette in Sandringham to pay tribute to the slain worker, a young man who was “recently married”.

A manhunt is under way with fellow dairy owners calling it their worst nightmare and a community reeling.

In a social media post, Ardern issued a message to the family and “tight-knit community”, pledging the Government would make sure those responsible were brought to justice and more would be done to prevent such crimes from occurring.

“Late last night I heard news of the horrific robbery and homicide in Sandringham,” she wrote.

“I’m continuing to seek updates from the police and understand they will be sharing any new information later today.

“For now, what I do know is that no one should fear their loved one going to work. No one should have to confront such senseless violence or crime.

“To the family who today mourns their lost loved one - I am so sorry this has happened.

“I know our Sandringham community is a tight-knit one, and they will be feeling this deeply too.

“Our job as Government is to make sure those who commit such crimes are brought to justice, and to try to prevent them occurring at all.

“On both counts, we will keep doing all we can.”