The suspects entered TJ Handcrafted in Auckland’s Botany Town Centre on Sunday 10 January at about 2pm, and held the store’s owner, identified as T Jordan, at gunpoint.
Jordan – who was working in the store alone – told news website Stuff.co.nz that the robbers swiped custom gold and diamond jewellery, as well as a Rolex watch that had been in for repairs, before he was able to call for help.
When security was called, “They panicked and then started running out,” Jordan said. The suspects did not reach the store’s safe.
After following the perpetrators on foot and confronting them, Jordan says he was hit in the face with a bag, knocking his glasses off, while a gun was pointed at his head.
The two men then fled on a moped, which was later found abandoned by police.
“I’m still trying to digest what happened,” Jordan said. “It’s not what I want to see in New Zealand, we are one of the safest countries in the world, that’s the reason I immigrated to New Zealand.”
Footage of the robbery was captured on CCTV and Jordan offered a $NZ5,000 reward for information.
Two men have since been arrested and charged in connection with the crime.
Arrest made following $100,000 Cambridge burglary
Meanwhile, New Zealand Police have confirmed a male teenager has been arrested and charged with a range of offences following the December 30 burglary of a jewellery store in the town of Cambridge, on the North Island.
The youth was part of a group of four people who used weapons to smash display cabinets at the Victoria Street store, stealing a range of jewellery and watches including pieces from Swarovski, Nomination, Karen Walker, G-Shock and Nixon.
While the crime was caught on CCTV and fog cannons were activated by the security system, the suspects caused more than $NZ100,000 in damage to the premises, leaving the owners devastated.
Sgt Ben Joll, New Zealand Police, said, “The crime has had a huge impact on the owners of the store who were planning to take a short break over the New Year but have been left to make significant repairs, causing disruption to their business during a busy trading period.”
The suspects fled in a stolen car, which was later abandoned in Hamilton.
The teenager, who is a resident of Palmerston North, is set to appear in Youth Court. No further arrests have been made, though police have appealed for information.
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