Police tape outside a dairy in the Auckland suburb of Sandringham where a man was fatally stabbed. Photo: RNZ / Jonty Dine
The victim of a robbery at a Sandringham dairy in Auckland has died and police have launched a homicide inquiry.
Police were called to the dairy at the intersection of Haverstock Road and Fowlds Avenue at 8.05pm, after an offender entered the store armed with a knife and took the cash register.
Police said they were still working to establish what happened but at some point the worker was stabbed and was taken to hospital but died a short time later.
They said they were working to identify and locate the offender and would like to hear from anyone who was around the area at the time who may be able to help them do so.
Inspector Danny Meade giving a media briefing after the death of a man at a dairy in Sandringham, Auckland following a robbery. Photo: RNZ / Amy Williams
Nearby residents could expect to see a significant police presence, police said.
Police would conduct a scene examination, talk to possible witnesses, and conduct area canvasses, they said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact 105 and quote event number P052703294.
Photo: RNZ / Jonty Dine
Dairy and Business Association chair Sunny Kaushal said business owners were feeling increasingly unsafe at their workplaces.
"This incident has left us numbed with shock," he said.
Kaushal said crime against small businesses was being under-reported because owners had lost their faith in police and the authorities.
Shop owners had taken security measures themselves, he said, but more needed to be done by the government because it was not a safe environment.
"They have proper lighting, security cameras, some have fog cannon.
"But how much would you like them to spend? They're not millionaires."
He said with the a frequency of ram raids and burglaries owners felt offenders had no fear of law or of being caught.
