Bar staff traumatised after shots fired during armed robbery

Bar staff were left traumatised after armed robbers threatened them, forced customers to lie on the floor and fired their guns in the air yesterday afternoon.

Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Warrick Adkin of Counties Manukau said three people went into the Headin’ Home Bar on Ti Rakau Drive in Pakuranga armed with two guns about 12.30pm.

There were about 12 customers in the bar at the time, he said.

The three offenders, who were disguised, threatened the staff and forced the customers to lie on the floor.

Shots were fired during the robbery, but no one was injured, Adkin said. The offenders took cash and fled in a white car waiting outside.

A staff member at the Headin’ Home Bar and Grill said staff were “too traumatised” to comment on the incident last night.

A sign on the door said the bar was closed due to “unforeseen circumstances”.

A neighbouring restaurant manager, who asked to remain anonymous, was having a cup of tea with the chef when he heard two bangs.

“It felt like someone was throwing stones on a tin roof — a very sharp noise. But I never realised it was gunshots,” he said.

“I just heard ‘ Bang! Bang!’ — that’s it — and then we saw people running out so we came to know there was a robbery.”

Most of Headin’ Home’s customers at midday were middle-aged men, he said.

“They have a very regular clientele, you see their faces every day.”

He understood two women were managing the bar when the robbery happened.

One seemed okay but the other woman came to his restaurant “crying and shivering” and asking to use his washroom, he said.

For security reasons he planned to close the restaurant early last evening.

His bar manager said the restaurant already took extra security precautions, including locking up liquor after hours, after burglars smashed the door in and stole all their alcohol.

They also have CCTV and security alarms and keep minimal cash on the premises, but he still does not feel safe “at all”, especially at night.

“I’ve told my staff if someone enters just give them everything, you don’t need argue with them. Staff safety comes first.”

Police are speaking with a large number of witnesses.

They want to hear from anyone who saw what happened or who noticed a white car parked in the carpark at the time of the robbery.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Counties Manukau Major Crime Team on 09 261 1321, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A reward may be offered as part of a new police campaign targeting aggravated robbery.