Staff at a well-known Indian fashion and jewellery store in Auckland, New Zealand, have been left traumatised after a violent daylight robbery just days before Diwali.
Nine masked offenders armed with hammers and bricks stormed Roop Darshan in Mt Roskil, targeting jewellery and cash tills while customers shopped for the upcoming Diwali festival.
“There were nine people altogether,” Mahesh Kumar, the store’s director, told RNZ.
“Four went for the cashier and took two tills, while the rest attacked the jewellery section.”
Kumar said the robbers were unable to smash the glass counters before staff activated a fog cannon, forcing the group to flee. “There is so much fear and anxiety that we can’t even run our day-to-day business,” he said.
“After this, it’s sleepless nights for us.”
Kumar, who migrated from Fiji in 1998 and is originally from Gujarat, India, said the attack had shattered the festive spirit. “I don’t think there is any joy left for Diwali,” he said, urging the government to take stronger action against crime.
“We came here for a safe and peaceful life but now we’re living in fear.”
Mt Roskill MP Carlos Cheung condemned the robbery as “completely unacceptable”, saying the government was committed to being “tough on crime”. He told RNZ that more police patrols were needed to protect small businesses.
Jaspreet Kandhari, general secretary of the New Zealand Indian Business Association, told RNZ the robbery was disheartening. “This has been happening for so many years now,” he said.
“It looks like the announcements have not made an impact, and we need to really push hard for the changes to happen as soon as possible.”
Police Minister Mark Mitchell told RNZ that tackling retail crime was a government priority. “Senseless violent acts are completely unacceptable,” he said.
“Police now have retail crime units operating across most districts, and we’ve appointed a new retail coordinator to strengthen confidence with the retail sector.”
Detective Senior Sergeant Anthony Darvill of Auckland City West Police confirmed that investigations were ongoing. “At about 3.40pm, a group of offenders entered the business on White Swan Road, reportedly carrying weapons.”
“A number of items were taken before the offenders left in a vehicle, which was later recovered and will undergo forensic examination.”
Roop Darshan, which began in Mt Roskill and now has four showrooms across New Zealand and one in Melbourne, remains closed as shaken staff recover from the ordeal.
Support our Journalism
No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.
