Sword-wielding jewellery store worker speaks out after ‘shocking’ attack on father

Monday, 24 June 2024

A jewellery store owner is seriously injured after being struck over the head by a hammer and stabbed in the forehead.

The incident took place at Pooja Jewellers on Kolmar Rd in Papatoetoe around 5.45pm on Sunday.

Police are still trying to locate the offenders who they say fled the scene in a vehicle.

An Auckland jewellery store owner is seriously injured after being brutally attacked during a “violent” armed robbery gone wrong.

Gurdeep Singh, 50, was hit over the head with a hammer multiple times during the robbery at Pooja Jewellers on Kolmar Rd in Papatoetoe on Sunday evening.

Singh’s son, Sunny, fended off the thieves with a large ceremonial sword, pushing back the hammer-wielding attackers and saving his father.

Now, Sunny has spoken for the first time since the callous attack.

“Dad’s still in hospital. We’re all very shaken up, and finding it very difficult to process.

“Dad’s going through surgery now. He has a skull fracture, and fragmentation,” Sunny said.

Singh had been transferred from Middlemore Hospital to Auckland City Hospital late on Sunday, where he was in a serious but stable condition.

While Singh wasn’t yet able to speak fully, his son said he’d been able to communicate “a little bit”.

His father had “worked really hard for the best part of five years” to be elected as the chairperson of the Papatoetoe local business association.

Through this role, Singh had been heavily involved in campaigning for the safety of local shop owners.

Sunny said Police Minister Mark Mitchell had visited the family on Monday morning.

“What we really need right now is love and support,” Sunny said.

Dramatic attack captured on CCTV

CCTV footage provided to Stuff shows a group of attackers breaking through a metal cage in the doorway of the shop before a person wearing all black enters the store, grabbing a display case closest to the door.

Although the attacker was initially pushed back by Singh, he was quickly overpowered by the group and pushed back into the shop floor.

The attacker can then be seen striking Singh multiple times with a hammer, and slashing his forehead with a knife.

A mother and three children ran to hide behind the counter, as Singh’s wife runs forward to protect her husband.

The rest of the attackers can then be seen entering the store, before Sunny emerges with a large ceremonial sword.

Sunny then drove the group of attackers out of the store with the sword, while Singh can be seen holding his head as blood gushes from his wounds.

Police ‘committed’ to finding offenders

According to Inspector Keki Wilson, the police Eagle helicopter was called to the scene of the attack but the offenders had already fled in a vehicle.

“Police are working to piece together exactly what occurred, we are speaking with a number of witnesses and will conduct a scene examination.

“Violent incidents like these rightly cause concern, and police [are] committed to holding offenders to account,” Wilson said.

Enquiries remain ongoing to find the offenders and their vehicle.

Dairy and Business Owners Group chair Sunny Kaushal said he understood the group was made up of five offenders.

“The owner was hit three times on the head with a hammer and then attacked on the forehead with a knife,” he said.

Singh was “out of danger” by Monday morning, Kaushal said.