Northland family suffers nightmares after Noel Leeming armed robbery

“When they entered, they shouted and insulted everyone, as usual, to get them to get on the ground. Then the guy with the rifle approached the counter where we were and shot over our heads.”

The three customers then hid behind the washing machines, but when one of the robbers noticed that one of them had a cell phone, he pointed the gun at them and shouted: “Put the fucking phone down and no one will get hurt.”

“Then they broke some cabinets, took what they wanted and left.”

It later turned out that the shot fired over their heads was a blank, but they did not know it at the time.

The man said they were doing well at the time, including his mother, but woke up during the night with visions of a hooded man standing over them with a gun.

A spokesman said police were investigating the theft.

Several shop windows were damaged and a staff member was assaulted during the raid.

The victim was examined by St John Ambulance personnel but was not seriously injured.

“However, this was a distressing incident for everyone in the store at the time,” the spokesperson said.

Investigations were continuing to establish exactly what was stolen in the robbery and to find the culprits.

Anyone with information should call police on the non-emergency line 105 and quote case number 240804/3523.

Information can also be passed anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.