The owners of a dairy in New Zealand's King Country are urging the public to help identify a group of violent robbers who attacked them during an early morning raid, saying they continue to fear for their safety more than a week after the incident.
According to a report by Stuff, Hemant and Bhavna Patel, who own Patel's Mini Market in Te Kūiti, were robbed on July 15 after four offenders stormed into the store shortly after opening, assaulting Hemant Patel and stealing around NZ$10,000 worth of tobacco along with NZ$1,500 in cash.
The couple said the robbery was the first they had experienced in the decade since opening their business in the town, Stuff has reported.
During the attack, Hemant Patel suffered cuts and bruises to his face after one of the offenders punched and kicked him. In an attempt to defend himself, he grabbed boiling oil from a deep fryer and threw it at one of the fleeing robbers, who reportedly shielded himself with a plastic container, as reported by Stuff.
The group fled the scene in a white station wagon, leaving the store badly damaged.
More than a week after the robbery, police have yet to make any arrests. A police spokesperson said the investigation remains active and that “police continue to make enquiries”.
Speaking to Stuff, Bhavna Patel said the couple had received overwhelming support from the local community following the attack.
“They are very angry,” she said, referring to residents who have rallied behind the family and shared information online in an effort to identify the offenders, Stuff has quoted.
According to Bhavna Patel, a photograph circulating on social media is believed to show someone wearing clothing and a surgical mask similar to one of the suspects captured on CCTV, while holding a fan of cash.
The traumatic incident has prompted the couple to reconsider how they operate their business. Although Hemant Patel kept a stick under the counter for protection, he did not have time to reach it during the robbery. They now plan to install an upgraded security system, including a protective cage around the service area, as reported by Stuff.
According to Stuff, explaining the difficult decision, Bhavna Patel said: “We don't want to do that because we don't want to put ourselves in a cage, but now we have to because we can't stop doing what we're doing.”
She said she feared the offenders could strike again if they were not caught and urged anyone with information to assist police.
“Someone knows something,” she told Stuff, appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.
Describing the emotional toll the attack has taken, Bhavna Patel added: “We still feel unsafe,” as quoted by Stuff.