The alleged aggravated robbery was reported to police before 10am.
Video has emerged on social media showing four masked people in hoodies fleeing the scene of an alleged aggravated robbery in Taupō.
The video shows three individuals exiting Michael Hill Taupō as smoke from fog cannons billows from the storefront.
The three people, wearing hoodies andcovering their faces, can be seen threatening bystanders with long bars or sticks before climbing into a yellow hatchback and fleeing the scene.
The video also shows two bystanders attempting to stop the alleged robbers. The bystanders appeared to attack the getaway car’s tyres.
Police were called to Michael Hill Taupō after an alleged aggravated robbery set off the shop’s fog cannons this morning.
A reporter at the scene said a loud bang was heard on Horomātangi St before 10am and smoke could be seen coming from the store.
Smoke billows out of Michael Hill Jeweller in Taupō after an alleged robbery. Photo / Dan Hutchinson
A police spokesperson said officers were responding to a report of an aggravated robbery at a commercial premises on Horomātangi St, reported just before 10am.
“Inquiries are ongoing to determine the circumstance and locate the offenders,” the spokesperson said.
Taupō Police have since arrested and charged four youths in relation to this incident.
In a statement, Michael Hill chief executive Daniel Bracken said the group of alleged offenders entered the store and attempted to smash cabinets to access stock, without success.
“Early activation of pendant alarms and fog cannons assisted in discouraging offenders from remaining in store and each fled with no product.”
Bracken said the jeweller remained vigilant, yet confident in its extensive security framework.
Maryana Garcia is a Hamilton-based reporter covering breaking news in Waikato. She previously wrote for the Rotorua Daily Post and Bay of Plenty Times.
