Police are asking the public for help investigating the robbery of a jewellery store at the Bayfair shopping complex in Mount Maunganui on Saturday January 27.
At around 2.50pm six people arrived at the shopping complex in a stolen vehicle.
Acting Detective Sergeant Lesa Eastergaard said they parked on the ground floor of the main parking building before entering the shopping centre with weapons.
They entered the Michael Hill store and "threatened staff and customers, before smashing cabinets and stealing a large amount of jewellery," Eastergaard said.
Several members of the public witnessed the robbery and approached the store in hopes they could help prevent the robbery but they were threatened by the offenders and had to take "evasive action to avoid injury".
"After leaving the store, the offenders ran back to the parking building and left in the stolen vehicle they had arrived in."
The shopping centre was busy at the time of the robbery and police are hoping those who captured footage of the robbery and/or the offenders will come forward and share whatever information they have.
If you have a recording - or any other information - which has not yet been shared with Police, they ask that you get in touch via 105 and quote file number 240127/1871.
Videos and photos can be uploaded here: https://pippen.nc3.govt.nz
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
