Publican feared for customers in daylight robbery

The manager of a South Auckland tavern that was robbed of up to $20,000 in a daring daylight robbery yesterday, says he is pleased his customers escaped unhurt.

Three masked men entered the Bellbird Arms Tavern in McAnnalley Street, Manurewa, at about 12.20pm with a sawn-off shotgun, police said.

They ordered staff to open a cash safe and the till of the TAB counter, before leaving through a back door with between $16,000 and $20,000 in cash.

A driver was waiting for the men in a four-door Nissan Cefiro which was stolen from East Tamaki this morning.

The car was later recovered in Manurewa.

Tavern manager Brian McKinnon told Radio New Zealand there were about 15 customers in the bar at the time of the robbery.

He was worried a customer might "do something stupid" like run at the robbers, and get hurt.

Staff were trained to cope with these incidents and Mr McKinnon said he was less concerned for his own safety.

Police said one of the men was wearing a dark hooded Puma top, dark trousers with a white stripe down the side, white trainers, black gloves and a red face covering and carrying the firearm.

A second man wore a blue baseball cap, a black puffer jacket with white stripes down the sleeve, black trousers, black shoes, black gloves and a dark face covering.

The third man wore a bright blue hooded top under a black jacket, black trousers, white trainers and a dark blue patterned face covering.

Counties Manukau police have appealed for information.

- NZPA