Sylvia Park robbery: Investigation leads to arrests over $210,000 robbery at Auckland shopping mall

Two men have been charged after $210,000 was stolen during a cash-in-transit robbery at Sylvia Park.

The incident unfolded early on April 9 after security guards were threatened with a firearm.

The offenders fled the shopping centre with cash in a stolen vehicle, said police.

The stolen car was found on fire in the nearby Mt Wellington area at the time, Detective Senior Sergeant Matthew Bunce said.

“Fortunately, no one suffered any injuries as a result of the offending.”

After five months of investigation, the police’s Auckland city organised crime unit has laid a raft of serious charges against two men.

Early today, the Operation Blur team, with assistance from the Armed Offenders Squad, executed three search warrants at properties in rural South Auckland and made two arrests.

“Police have interviewed the pair and laid serious charges against them for the Sylvia Park robbery.”

Those charges are: aggravated robbery with a firearm, conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery with a firearm, arson, burglary, unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, theft of a motor vehicle, aggravated assault, seven charges of theft ex-car (under $500), and theft ex-car (over $1000).

Bunce said police inquiries will continue, with further charges not being ruled out.

“This has been a challenging investigation to date, and I’d like to acknowledge this team of investigators whose work has led to this significant development today.”

A 50-year-old Tuakau man and a 28-year-old Paerata man were due to appear in the Auckland District Court today.