Two men are behind bars for their roles in the 2023 aggravated robbery of an east Auckland gaming lounge.
As the Times has previously reported, police were called to the premises of Nitefun 98 in Highland Park at about 1.37am on September 28 after a group of offenders armed with weapons entered the business.
“The group have threatened at least three employees who were in the premises at the time and have taken an amount of cash from the till,” a police spokesperson said at the time.
“The group has then left in a stolen vehicle, which police have identified as part of our enquiries.
“One of the employees has received minor injuries in relation to this incident and has received medical treatment overnight.
“We are ensuring support is in place for those who were involved.
“A scene guard has been in place overnight and will remain at the premises this morning while our investigation continues.”
Police spoke to witnesses in relation to the incident and urged anyone else with information to make contact.
The Times recently asked police for an update on the case.
Detective senior sergeant Dave Paea says: “Counties Manukau Police criminal investigation branch made two arrests in this investigation over the aggravated robbery at a Highland Park gaming lounge in September, 2023.
“Two men have since been convicted on aggravated robbery charges in the Manukau District Court.
“A 25-year-old man was sentenced in early April to four years and one month imprisonment.
“A 23-year-old man was sentenced in March to five years and one month imprisonment.”
News media reported one of the offenders was armed with a hammer during the robbery while others had a machete and an item resembling a firearm.
Several of the gaming lounge’s staff members were forced to open the tills at gunpoint.
The offenders stole personal items from people inside the premises and took the contents of the safe before fleeing.
