Two workers at this convenience store at Gull Service Station ran to a safe room and called police when a man barged in. Photo / Michael Cunningham
Two workers at this convenience store at Gull Service Station ran to a safe room and called police when a man barged in. Photo / Michael Cunningham
Two workers of a Northland service station fled into a safe room and called police when a man barged in minutes after allegedly threatening staff at a nearby business.
Whangarei police are investigating incidents at the Night 'n Day convenience store, located at Gull Service Station, and McDonald's just across the road.
A man allegedly threatened McDonald's staff through the drive-through window about 2am yesterday.
He allegedly fled when police were called.
At 2.16am, the man allegedly managed to get inside Night 'n Day premises where two employees were working.
"Our staff are not in the firing line because they are able to go to a safe room and ring police. Sometime ago they were hurt but that's no longer the case now."
Mr Allison said the store closed its front door after 10pm but staff allowed mostly regular customers through on occasions.
The alleged offender, he said, managed to get through but ran away when the two staff fled to the safe room to call police.
He said Night 'n Day has invested in security measures including CCTV cameras and a safe room to ensure the safety of staff and customers.
"We also have a clearance system so no cash is kept on the premises so it really is difficult to get anything. Across New Zealand there are five to six robberies in a day so what happened to us was not unusual but at times it becomes a non-event to try and rob us."
A man allegedly displayed threatening behaviour towards workers at McDonald's drive through in Raumanga before running away. Photo / Michael Cunningham
He said a Victim Support adviser was at the scene shortly after the alleged offender ran away and the company would provide counselling and other support to affected staff.
McDonald's spokeswoman Sarah Fitzpatrick said: "We take the safety of our employees and customers extremely seriously and have a range of policies and procedures in place to ensure their safety, including contacting the authorities in these types of situations."
The fast food outlet's front doors are closed from 11pm to 6am but the drive-through is open 24 hours.
McDonald's would not comment on whether the man was armed.
Detective Senior Sergeant John Miller said an investigation was under way and both incidents were linked.
In December 2013, a service station worker at Gull was knocked to the ground and had a knife held to his throat during a robbery involving three men all armed with knives.
