A tenacious investigation over the past five months has led to two arrests following a cash-in-transit robbery at Sylvia Park.
The Auckland City Organised Crime Unit has been investigating after $210,000 was allegedly stolen when a firearm was presented at security guards on 9 April 2025.
"Police located a vehicle, allegedly used to flee from the shopping centre, on fire in the nearby Mt Wellington area at the time," Detective Senior Sergeant Matthew Bunce says.
"Fortunately, no one suffered any injuries as a result of the offending."
Offenders had fled the area.
Five months on, they were awoken in darkness early this morning at properties in rural south Auckland. The Operation Blur team had arrived.
"This morning the investigation team executed three search warrants, with assistance from the Armed Offenders Squad," Detective Senior Sergeant Bunce says.
"Police have interviewed the pair and laid serious charges against them for the Sylvia Park robbery."
A 50-year-old Tuakau man and a 28-year-old Paerata man will appear in the Auckland District Court later today.
They have been charged with:
- Aggravated robbery with a firearm
- Conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery with a firearm
- Arson
- Burglary
- Unlawfully taking a motor vehicle
- Theft of a motor vehicle
- Aggravated assault
- 7x theft ex-car (under $500)
- Theft ex-car (over $1000)
Detective Senior Sergeant Bunce says Operation Blur's enquiries continue.
"We cannot rule out further charges being laid at this point," he says.
"This has been a challenging investigation to-date and I'd like to acknowledge this team of investigators whose work has led to this significant development today."
