Hutt Valley NZ
Two Armourguard officers have been robbed at a Hutt Valley shopping centre by a man who fled in waiting van.
The robbery was one of two targeting security guards at shopping centres yesterday.
A money case was taken from one of the guards after he was assaulted, near an ANZ ATM at the Stokes Valley Shopping Centre on Stokes Valley Road at about 1.45pm, Lower Hutt police said.
The robber ran to Evans Street where he was seen getting into a white van, possibly a Toyota, driven by another man.
The robber was described as a solidly built Maori or Polynesian, standing about 1.82 meters tall. He was wearing a light coloured beanie, black sunglasses, red jeans, and a white long sleeve top
Police have asked that anyone with information about the robbery contact Detective Sergeant Dean Simpson at the Lower Hutt Police Station on (04) 560 2600 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (04) 560 2600 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 0800 555 111 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
Meanwhile, a Hamilton builder drove his vehicle into the side of a robbers’ getaway car allowing police to grab five men after an armoured van hold up.
Police Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Greene said they got dozens of emergency calls as the robbery took place at the Westfield Shopping Centre in Chartwell about 1.40pm.
He said while many phoned in emergency calls, an unnamed builder took more direct action, driving his vehicle into the getaway car.
“Police always take the position of not encouraging direct intervention in such situations,” said Mr Green.
“However this person’s actions slowed the offenders escape.”
He said the intervention allowed officers to arrest five men on Egmont Street and said police were grateful for the assistance.
Greene said that it appeared that guards in an Armourguard security van had been attacked by the occupants of a silver Nissan sedan on the second floor of the Chartwell shopping centre’s car park.
A large sum of money was taken.
He said police would be looking at an ‘appropriate method’ of showing their appreciation to the helpful builder.
“Meanwhile our staff are currently interviewing the offenders and witnesses while a forensic examination of the getaway vehicles is currently underway,” he said.
