Watch: Dramatic footage of getaway after Auckland jeweller's Diwali stock emptied in brazen robbery

Sparkles Jewellers Papatoetoe attacked by masked thieves yesterday. Photo / Google Maps

Footage has emerged of brazen masked robbers evading brave passersby after striking a South Auckland jewellery store armed with hammers yesterday.

The shocking footage shows at least three people, some carrying large storage bags, running to a white getaway car waiting on the footpath outside Sparkles Jewellers on Great South Rd in Papatoetoe.

Passersby attempt to foil the group, with one person in an orange top kicking the door and window of the car in vain before it drives a short distance along the footpath, passing the Hunters Food Town entrance before, tires squealing, it turned left down Hoteo Ave and sped away.

The person filming, among several passersby to witness the latest in a months-long spate of similar offending, then lets out a gasp.

"Oh my God," she says.

The jewellery store was left destroyed and cabinets emptied out by the group of masked thieves, who struck at 5.20pm.

The store had its door and cabinets smashed with glass strewn across the floor.

The owner's son, Navneet Shee, was inside the store's office when his staff ran towards him yelling "they are here".

"I went outside to look," Shee told the Herald.

"Five masked men armed with hammers and wearing gloves broke everything, all cabinets, they took most of our new stock which we had put out for Diwali."

Shee said the incident happened early evening, and when his security guard tried to stop the offenders he was attacked.

"He went to the hospital. Neighbour shop's owner also tried to stop them.

"But they had two getaway cars."

Shee said they were still in shock.

"All business owners around New Zealand are scared to even open their stores ... and that's not a safe way to live. Government needs to take action."

Police confirmed today inquiries were ongoing to find the offenders.

On October 18, police received multiple reports of an aggravated robbery possibly including a firearm at a well-known clothing and jewellery store, Roop Darshan in Mt Roskill.

An employee of Liquorland Mt Roskill said he saw three people running out with bags from Roop Darshan on White Swan Rd.

Staff at Bikanervala Mt Roskill said they heard about the robbery incident across the road about 11am.

One person fled in a stolen vehicle, which police found abandoned on Boyce Ave.

Police attended after receiving calls at 11.37am on Tuesday.

"I think the staff pressed the emergency button and the robbers went away."

One person received superficial injuries.

Police were making inquiries into the robbery, and have since determined no firearms were involved.

Roop Darshan has been approached but did not want to comment.