Gun fired during robbery

Press, 28 December 1989, Page 7

Gun fired during robbery

PA Auckland A robber’s shotgun discharged into the ceiling of a Ranui, Auckland, shop when he clubbed the owner with the weapon’s butt early yesterday. Seven members of the Khan family were held at gunpoint, then bound and gagged by three men who burst into their home behind the shop about 1.20 a.m.

The owner suffered bruising around his jaw. No-one else was hurt.

A police spokesman said the balaclava-clad robbers forced the family to open the shop safe and show them the till takings, their personal money and jewellery. The property was ransacked, but neither the police nor the Khan family would disclose the amount of cash or the value of property taken.

The family escaped soon after their attackers fled, but police patrols did not see the Khans’ car, which the trio took.

Twelve-year-old Arshad Khan was behind the counter at opening time, unflustered by the dramatic events of the night. He said the dairy had been robbed at knifepoint before, although he was not there at the time.

Senior-Sergeant Bob Barrett, of Henderson, said the robbers were believed to be in their late teens or early 20s. He said two carried doublebarrel shotguns. The third may have had a .22 rifle.