A jewellery store in Auckland was ram raided last night, with employees taking shelter in a locked back room during the burglary.
The store on Newmarket's Broadway was struck by six offenders at about 8.55pm in what police called a "distressing incident".
"A stolen Toyota Aqua reversed into the store on Broadway, while several staff were closing," Detective Sergeant Joseph Niupopo said in a statement announcing an investigation into the incident.
Police released a photo from the scene and asked for the public's help identifying the people involved.
"The employees locked themselves in a back room while six offenders, whose faces were covered, began breaking cabinets and taking jewellery.
"The offenders used hammers and tyre irons to gain entry to cabinets and drove off with a large quantity of high-end pieces of jewellery.
"Forensic examinations of the scene and vehicle will continue this morning," Nuipopo said.
Nobody was injured, he added.
The car was abandoned "a short distance away" with some of the stolen goods still inside.
Police were providing support for the staff, who "responded bravely".
A stocktake would be done to assess what was taken, Niupopo said.
Police asked anyone with information to call 105.
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