Brazen armed robbery

STEPHEN FORBES

POLICE are hunting three men who carried out a brazen aggravated robbery of the Lincoln Heights Superette on August 16.

Prav Masters says his family has owned the store on the corner of Massey's Chorley Ave and Waimumu Rd since 1984. But it's the only time it has been targeted by armed thieves.

The incident happened at about 6pm when the heavily disguised trio entered the dairy and demanded cash from Mr Masters. The robbers were armed with a baseball bat, a gun and a knife.

"They rushed in and pointed the gun at me," Mr Masters says.

"Only the guy with the baseball bat spoke."

The offenders demanded cash and fled the scene on foot to a stolen gold 1998 Subaru Legacy which was parked in Waimumu Rd.

Mr Masters says it was all over in 20 seconds.

"I was going to follow them but I thought they've got a gun and the last thing I want is to get shot."

Mr Masters says his wife and mother were out the back of the shop with his two young daughters during the robbery.

He thought of Navtej Singh who was shot dead during an armed robbery at Manurewa in 2008 and decided not to put his life at risk.

"It makes you think when is it going to happen again?"

Mr Masters wants to see the offenders caught.

"It's a pretty tight community and someone will know who's involved," he says.

The culprits are between 16 and 20 years old, light skinned Maori or Middle Eastern, of thin build and 1.60 to 1.9 metres tall.

Detective constable Lisa Norton from the Henderson CIB says it it was clear the robbers intended to use the weapons if necessary.

Call detective constable Lisa Norton on 839-0638 or the Crimestoppers hotline on 0800-555-111 if you have any information.

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- © Fairfax NZ News