Three teens arrested after Auckland jewellery store owner left with fractured skull

Tuesday, 25 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.

Now, three teens have been arrested and charged in relation to the incident.

Three teens have been arrested after an Auckland jewellery store owner was seriously injured during a “violent” armed robbery gone wrong

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

Singh suffered a fractured skull during the attack, and remained in a serious but stable condition at Auckland City Hospital on Tuesday afternoon.

Now, police have arrested three teenagers who they allege were involved in the attack.

All three alleged offenders - aged 15, 16 and 17 - have been charged with aggravated robbery with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The 16-year-old faces an additional charge of aggravated assault. The 15-year-old is also facing a charge of assault.

All three teens will appear in the Manukau Youth Court.

Detective Inspector Karen Bright said the 15-year-old was also facing further charges over offending further north.

He was charged with two aggravated robberies and an aggravated burglary that happened earlier in June.

Bright said further arrests were likely.

“Let’s be clear, the violent behaviour we have seen play out is totally unacceptable.

“We understand how distressing incidents like these are for victims and we hope these arrests will help provide reassurance to both the victims in this case and to the community,” Bright said.

CCTV footage released to Stuff showed Singh’s son, Sunny, fending off the alleged thieves with a large ceremonial sword, pushing back the hammer-wielding attackers and saving his father.

Sunny told Stuff his father had undergone surgery to repair fractures to his skull.

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

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.