Police have released CCTV footage of the aggravated robbery in Kingsford Supermarket in Mangere East where a group of four masked men had badly beaten up a staff member on Tuesday, May 16.
A group of four masked men had barged into the Kingsford supermarket in Mangere East at 7:30 p.m. armed with machetes and attacked an unaware staff member who was facing his back towards them leaving him badly injured.
Indian Weekender also spoke with the victim Vikas Dubey, 24, who has been working in the store since last 10 months and was severely shaken with the brazenness of the attack.
“I could not see them at all as they were hitting me from behind.
“I went blank immediately after receiving first few blows on my head and neck.
“When senses came back to me, I noticed that they had put a machete on my neck and I was scared as hell. I just asked the other staff member to give them whatever they are asking for,” Mr Singh told Indian Weekender recalling the harrowing experience.
Kanwaljit Singh, the owner of Kingsford supermarket, told Indian Weekender, “I might consider arming with a weapon as a last resort if we don't see much change in the overall situation."
Apparently, it was too much for the visibly incensed shop owner who was not only worried about the safety of his injured staff but was also concerned about ensuring that the remaining staff members continue to return to work.
"I am already down with two staffs who cannot work as they are on an interim visa and now my third staff member is down with this cowardly attack," Mr Dhatt said.
"It's getting very difficult to run our businesses as staff get scared with such kind of attacks," Mr Dhatt further bemoaned.
Detective Senior Sergeant Albie Alexander of the Counties Manukau Major Crime Team says this was an abhorrent attack which involved an excessive level of violence.
“These offenders need to be held accountable.
“They are a danger to the public, and this level of violence is totally unacceptable,” Sergeant Alexander further added.
Since February, Police in the three Auckland Districts has arrested 68 people and placed them before the courts in relation to aggravated robberies of commercial premises that have occurred in the last three months.
Along with catching the offenders and bringing them to account, police have also focused on prevention of these crimes as part of Operation Dukan.
Earlier, police officers across Auckland have visited over 930 business owners and talked to them about this very issue and offered them safety audits of their premises.
However, it’s another matter that despite Police’s hard work community is worried about the recent spurt in aggravated robberies and assault.
“I have never expected an incident of this type happening to us in this shop as it is always busy with customers,” a visibly petrified Mr Dubey told Indian Weekender.