Auckland Jewelry Store Robbery Ends With Security Guard Shot In Leg, Gang Flees With Loot

Auckland, New Zealand— Gunfire shattered a busy shopping street in central Auckland at 11:20 a.m. Friday when two armed men stormed a jewelry store and shot a security guard in the leg. Police said the guard tried to block the door as the robbers smashed display cases. They grabbed trays of jewelry and fled in a waiting car.

The store sits on Queen Street near the intersection with Customs Street, a high foot-traffic area. Witnesses said the men wore black hoodies, gloves and motorcycle helmets. One carried a pistol. The guard, a 56-year-old contractor, was hit once. Staff pulled him behind the counter and applied pressure to the wound until paramedics arrived.

"It happened so fast, smash, smash, bang, then they were gone," a sales assistant who hid in the back room said. She said the robbers used hammers to break reinforced glass. They shouted at staff to get down. The whole raid lasted less than 90 seconds. Shoppers outside screamed and ran when they heard the shot.

St John Ambulance took the guard to Auckland City Hospital with a leg injury described as serious but not life-threatening. He underwent surgery. The store owner said the guard had worked there for eight years and was known for confronting thieves. He said the loss includes diamond rings and gold necklaces valued at more than $250,000.

Police sealed off a 200-meter stretch of Queen Street. Armed Offenders Squad members searched side streets. Forensics collected shell casings, blood, and shattered glass. Detectives are reviewing CCTV from the store and three neighboring shops that shows a silver Toyota Mark X speeding away toward the waterfront.

Auckland central area commander said this was a brazen daytime attack with no regard for public safety. He said officers are checking whether the same crew was linked to a failed robbery in Newmarket last week that used similar methods. No arrests have been made. The getaway car's plates were confirmed stolen.

The jewelry sector has warned of rising armed raids. The Auckland Business Association said six jewelry stores have been hit in the central city since July. Many now use double-door locks and armed guards. This store had upgraded its security after a ram-raid attempt in August. It was not enough.

Police are asking anyone who saw the silver Toyota or has dashcam footage from Queen Street between 11:00 and 11:45 a.m. to contact 105. The guard remains in hospital under observation. The store will stay closed while repairs are done.