"Pukekohe Bank Robbery And Southern Motorway Crash"

Police have apprehended two offenders after a crash on the Southern Motorway following a pursuit of a vehicle believed to be involved in the robbery of the Westpac Bank in Pukekohe just minutes earlier.

The facts as we understand them at this time are that Police were alerted to a bank robbery in Pukekohe at 11:57am, where two partially disguised men entered the Westpac bank with what has been described as a hammer. They have stolen an amount of cash and fled the scene, causing no injury to staff or customers.

The two offenders were witnessed leaving the bank in a maroon BMW convertible, and seen travelling at speed on rural roads towards the motorway at Drury.

A Police vehicle observed the BMW near the Drury intersection and the offending driver failed to stop for the unit despite being followed by flashing lights and siren. The BMW entered the motorway at Drury.

The pursuit ensued onto the Southern Motorway northbound. The offending vehicle has then crashed into the rear of a Ford ute, driven by a member of the public, near the Papakura interchange. This collision has caused the BMW to flip and roll across the motorway. The Ford ute has also rolled.

Consequently, the motorway was closed to all northbound traffic until around 2:30pm.

The driver and passenger of the fleeing car were apprehended by Police at the scene. An inspection of their car produced a weapon matching the description of the one used in the bank robbery, as well as the stolen cash.

All three people involved in the crash - two from the offending vehicle and one member of the public from the Ford ute - have been taken to hospital.

The offenders are reported to be 25 year old and 32 year old males, both with injuries. The member of public involved in the crash is a 57 year old man, with injuries that could be described as serious.

Counties Manukau Police Serious Crash Unit attended the scene.

The incident has been referred to the IPCA.

A witness has also reported that when leaving the scene, the offenders may have been filmed by another witness on a cellphone. If anyone has or has seen this footage, please forward it to Police.

Additionally, Police ask that anyone who saw the offenders entering or leaving the bank in Pukekohe, driving on State Highway 22 towards the motorway, or on State Highway 1 heading north come forward to assist in the investigation. Contact Counties Manukau Police on 09 261 1300 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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