Two ASB banks have been robbed in Auckland in the last two days, both by thieves brandishing firearms.

The first was at 4.20pm on Friday at the Blockhouse Bay branch and the second at the St Lukes branch at 9am the following morning. Significant amounts of cash were taken in both robberies.

There was also an aggravated robbery on the 10 June at the National Bank on Queens Street. The thief, armed with a screwdriver, was also said to have escaped with a “significant” amount of cash but was apprehended a short time later.

ASB Blockhouse Bay Aggravated Robbery

From Infonews.co.nz:

“At approximately 4.20 pm a heavily disguised male has carried out an Aggravated Robbery of the ASB Bank situated in the Blockhouse Bay Shops, 519 Blockhouse Bay Road, Blockhouse Bay.

During the robbery the offender has presented a firearm at the bank tellers and obtained a large amount of cash.

The offender has then got into a White stolen 1999 Mitsubishi Legnum Station wagon with the registration ETJ531, which was parked outside the bank entrance facing the wrong way. The vehicle has then exited at speed out of the car park heading along Blockhouse Bay Road in the direction of Gilfillan Street.

Police would like to hear from anyone who saw the incident, has knowledge of the offender and who has knowledge of the whereabouts of the stolen vehicle.

Anyone who has information should contact Detective Sergeant Jason McIntosh, Avondale CIB on phone number (09) 820 5781.”

Robbery of ASB Bank St Lukes Shopping center

From Infonews.co.nz

“At approximately 9.00 am a male has carried out an Aggravated Robbery of the ASB Bank situated on the second floor of the St Lukes Shopping Center.

The male has entered the ASB bank shortly after it opened waited inline with other customers and approached the teller. He has then informed the teller that he had a firearm and demanded cash. Cash amounting to $3300 has been handed over to the offender.

The offender has run out of the bank into the carpark heading east in the direction of Cornwallis Street and Warren Freer Park.

Surveillance footage obtained from the bank shows the offender as a Male Caucasian in his late teens or early 20s of slim build with a whisper of a moustache and minor facial hair.

Police would like to hear from anyone who saw this incident and has knowledge of the offender.
Anyone who has information should contact Detective Sergeant Jason McIntosh, Avondale CIB on phone number (09) 820 5781.”

In 2008 there was a total of 1,160 recorded aggravated robberies in New Zealand, of those 163 were firearm related and 223 used a stabbing or cutting weapon, source NZ statistics.

News reports of aggravated robberies in which a firearm or other weapon was used in 2009 include:
13 June: ASB Bank, St Lukes Shopping Centre, 9am
13 June: ANZ Bank, Upper Hut, 2.20pm
12 June: ASB Bank, Blockhouse Bay, 4.20pm
10 June: Caspar Dairy, Papatoetoe
9 June: ASB Bank Mt Roskill, (Axe) 3.05pm
9 June: Kiwibank PostShop, Balmoral, 2.45pm
5 June: Opotiki Takeaway, boys 13 & 15 arrested, imitation pistols.
4 June: ANZ Bank, St Lukes
29 May: TAB Dominion Road
27 May: Armourguard hold-up, Epsom Girls Grammar School
24 May: BP Service station, Whitford village, 7pm
23 May: Main Street Fish n Chips, Blenheim, 6pm
22 May: ASB Bank, Panmure, 2:30pm
15 May: Westpac Bank, Parnell, 2:45pm
11 May: Botany Town Centre. Shopper robbed in carpark at gunpoint, 10:45am
27 April: Aotea Crescent Chinese takeaway, Tokoroa, at night
20 April: Dairy, Whangarei – lead to a high speed chase
11 April: Bigsave variety store, Whangarei (knife)
11 April: Outdoor Connection, Whangarei (knife)
2 April: Dairy, Lipscombe Cres. Havelock Nth. Accused was bailed & then crashed
28 March: Tower Post Office, Christchurch, 8am
23 March: Bishopdale Discounter Dairy, Chch, 7.50pm
16 March: National Bank, Manukau 11.45am
13 March: BNZ Bank, Manukau. Armourguard robbed of $200,000, 5:22pm
7 March: Alabaster Pharmacy, Merivale, Chch. (Petrol poured over pharmacist)
2 March: Dissmeyer Superette, Otara, groceries stolen
1 March: Edendale Superette, cigs, ice cream and cash, 8:15am
25 February: Westpac Bank, Browns Bay, Ak,. 11am
10 February: Il Bordello Brothel, Wellington. Lone female receptionist at night
2 February: ASB Bank, Orewa
1 February: New World Supermarket, Clendon, 10am
7 January: Westpac Bank, Onehunga

The recession is blamed for surge in brazen and violent armed robberies

Also see: Armed robbery at girls high school