In a daring heist on Anzac Day, six masked individuals, one wielding a machete, targeted Glitter Jewellers in Manurewa, South Auckland, making off with jewels and gold estimated at a staggering $1 million. Security footage captured the brazen robbery, revealing the armed robbers storming the store just before closing time.
Upon the thieves’ entry, startled staff and customers scrambled for safety, with four employees seeking refuge at the rear of the store, and five patrons fleeing in panic. Amidst the chaos, footage depicts two customers leaping over the counter, while another ducks beneath display cabinets, before managing to escape through the front door past the robbers.
Within a heart-stopping 45 seconds, the assailants systematically smash open display cabinets, swiftly emptying trays of valuables into their bags, while others sweep gems from the shelves. The robbery takes a dramatic turn when a smoke cannon ignites 16 seconds into the heist, obscuring the thieves’ exit.
According to Nitpreet Shee, the son of the store owner, the robbers forcibly breached two sets of locked security doors to gain entry, indicating a meticulously planned operation. Shee expressed belief that the thieves targeted the store’s high-value 20-carat gold pieces deliberately, bypassing other items.
In the aftermath, Shee described the traumatic impact on his family, who has been in the jewelry business for two decades, with the Manurewa store operating since 2011. He recounted how even minor incidents, such as dropping a calculator, now evoke heightened anxiety for his parents, transforming their once-beloved establishment into a source of fear.
Considering the ordeal, Shee revealed that his family is contemplating relocating to Australia, feeling unsafe in a country they’ve called home for 20 years.
In response to the incident, a police spokesperson confirmed an ongoing investigation into the aggravated robbery, urging anyone with relevant footage to come forward.
This robbery adds to a concerning trend of jewelry store attacks across New Zealand, with recent incidents targeting Michael Hill Jeweller stores in West Auckland and Dress Smart Onehunga, as well as Partridge Jewellers in Westfield Newmarket, underscoring the escalating threat faced by retailers in the industry.
