Hold-up mystery | Northland News | Local News in Northland

It took two minutes for gun-toting robbers to terrify staff and rob a Northland supermarket of thousands of dollars.

Police have released security camera pictures of what they consider was a well-planned and executed heist at Countdown Supermarket at Tikipunga.

The brazen robbery happened just before 10pm closing on August 21 - the same night the All Blacks beat the Springboks.

While police will not reveal how much cash was taken, the Northern Advocate understands it numbers in the thousands of dollars.

Police have been unable to track down the thieves and are appealing for help from the public.

Whangarei police constable Ryan Gray said that as the last shoppers, a couple, left the store, the darkly clothed trio slipped through the main door, which could be opened only from inside.

Once inside, the three walked past a Lotto desk and then ran at three staff members near the checkout area.

One of two robbers, brandishing a pistol, swore at the staff and demanded money as the employees, two women and a man, were forced at gunpoint into the office.

The third robber was armed with a hunting knife, about 30cm in length.

Two other staff members, in the rear of the supermarket, escaped through a door to a nearby business and raised the alarm.

The detained staff members, were forced, at gunpoint, to hand over three bank bags full of cash.

One of the robbers then kicked a fire-exit door open and, as the alarm sounded, the trio fled.

Mr Gray believed a fourth person might have been involved and drove off with the robbers in a stolen car, which was found halfway up a driveway in Manapouri St with the engine still running.

A police dog and handler searched the area, but another car might have been used in the robbers' escape.

Police said yesterday that the dark blue 1994 Honda Rafaga was stolen from the Kamo Club carpark on the same afternoon between 4.30pm-9.30pm. A rear-quarter window was smashed.

Police want to hear from anyone who might have seen any suspicious activity in the Kamo Club car park at that time.

Mr Gray was also interested in speaking to a group of young people who were leaving the supermarket carpark at the time the robbers were driving off in the stolen car.

"Some one will be talking about this by now and there will be a couple of people with wads of cash they normally don't have," Mr Gray said.

"They may have even had a party."

The three men were all wearing dark hooded sweatshirts, dark jeans and running shoes. They had balaclavas over their face and two were wearing sunglasses. They were described as being of average build.

"It was obviously planned. As the last customers have left, they have entered."

The offenders were aware of the security cameras and never allowed themselves to be captured front on.

Anyone with information should contact Mr Gray at Whangarei Police Station, phone 09 430-4500.