An Auckland dairy worker has had a gun pulled on him by a thief demanding money, while three other electronic stores have been involved in serious break-ins as a crimewave continues to grip the city.
Police said at around 2:56pm on Monday, they were called to a store on Victoria Street West in the Auckland CBD over reports a male had presented a firearm at shop staff.
The store manager, who wished to remain anonymous, told Newshub the offender came into the store firstly trying to buy cigarettes and a drink but didn't have enough money and left without incident.
"After I [store manager] left the shop ten minutes later, he then came again and he pulled a gun in my co-worker's face and asked him for the money," the store manager told Newshub.
He said while the incident was occurring, two witnesses were inside the store watching it all unfold.
The store manager said the thief stole around $600 before quickly leaving the shop while the customers called the police.
The manager said this was not the first time his store had been robbed.
"Usually, during COVID-19 as well, some people are stealing biscuits, chocolate, bars, pies, but we don't talk to them because there isn't much you can do about it," he told Newshub.
"We don't bother about it, but it's annoying."
Police said an investigation into the incident is ongoing and are following lines of enquiry.
"Anyone with information is asked to contact Police on 105 quoting 220509/4130. You can also contact Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."
Auckland is experiencing a crime wave over the past month with almost daily burglaries, smash and grabs and ram raids.
The store manager said he doesn't feel safe amid the ongoing crime spree.
"There aren't any regulations at the moment, there is no safety, there is an increase in crime," he told Newshub.
"People are robbing the store in the afternoon or in the middle of the night or in the morning, so there is no safety."
The store manager said he and his co-worker - who had the gun pulled on him - are "coping alright" but are just grateful no one got hurt during the incident.
There have also been at least three more serious break-ins across Auckland in the last 24 hours, with two phone retailers and a discount store targeted.
Vodafone and 2degrees in Botany were both hit by smash and grabs, while another retailer in Glen Innes, next door to a Ministry of Social Development office, was targeted in an attempted ram-raid.
Photos show the front door to Vodafone and 2degrees both damaged and replaced by wood to cover the entrance.
Products in the 2degrees store can be seen all over the floor after the incident.
On the Glen Innes attempted ram-raid, police said they received a report on Sunday that someone tried to burgle the store.
A police spokesperson said they understood the incident happened between Friday night and Saturday morning.
"The attempt was unsuccessful and Police are following lines of enquiry," they said.
"Anyone with information is asked to contact Police on 105 quoting P050491402. You can also contact Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."
The latest incidents come days after the Government announced plans to roll out support for businesses.
Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson said a plan involving partial funding for bollards and other security measures will be announced in the next week or two.
"The Government can carry a part of the cost, potentially quite a large part of the cost, of installation of those," he said.
The Government has previously helped fund about 1000 fog cannons for shop owners, but this time, it's looking at bollards - once it's figured out the local bylaws.
"Whether there are alternatives to bollards because of that, or some other reason - but that is our intention, to provide that kind of support," Robertson said.
