Synthetic Cannabis Targeted in ‘Smash and Grab’ Robbery

Police in Counties Manukau East are investigating a robbery of the Video Expo in Greenmount Drive, East Tamaki, at around 10:30am on Sunday 2 March.

Three offenders entered the store while the store attendant was sitting behind the counter. One man smashed a glass countertop with a baseball bat while two other men went behind the counter and stole synthetic cannabis which was located in a drawer.

Detective Sergeant Glenn Wilkinson of Counties Manukau East CIB says this is a brazen and well-planned attack.

“The men appeared to know exactly where the product was located and made no attempt to take anything else from the shop or access the till which contained cash,” he says. “It is good to see that the store attendant remained calm and did not do anything to cause harm to himself or add further aggression to the situation.”

The Video Expo’s Manukau store was robbed in February; however Police do not believe the incidents are related. Both cash and synthetic cannabis was targeted in the previous incident in Manukau.

“We will be exploring all avenues in the course of this investigation, however, at this stage we believe this is an isolated incident. We are interested to hear from anyone who may know someone who is in possession of a large amount of synthetic cannabis,” says Detective Sergeant Wilkinson.

All three men are seen in CCTV footage wearing hoodies that cover their hair with cloth or bandannas covering their faces. They spent no more than 22 seconds in the store and are believed to have fled in a vehicle parked near the store. Anyone who recognises the people in the footage or knows anything about this incident should call Police immediately.

“We’d also like to remind people to purchase legal, regulated products from a store that has a licence to sell for their own health and safety. It’s important to note that knowingly receiving stolen goods is a crime. It is also a crime for a young person to be in possession of, buy or be sold these products. With such a large amount of product on the streets, there is a high chance that these products will be sold to young people under the age of 18. We would like to encourage anyone who knows something about where these products are to contact us as soon as possible,” says Detective Sergeant Wilkinson.

The public can provide information directly to Detective Sergeant Glenn Wilkinson at Counties Manukau Police on 09 213 9000 or information can also be provided anonymously to the organisation Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

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