It's believed an armed robbery just west of Auckland's City Centre overnight could be related to similar robberies targeting bars in the area.
Officers are now hunting a group of armed offenders who are on the run after a spate of robberies in Point Chevalier.
There have been four similar robberies in three nights - all of which police believe to be linked.
At 2am on Saturday, multiple offenders armed with hammers and a gun robbed the Wapiti Sports Bar on Carrington Road.
Staff were locking up the bar for the night when the offenders entered and began threatening them.
Police said four offenders wearing masks took cash and fled in two vehicles, one of which was abandoned near the scene and will undergo forensic testing.
A similar style robbery took place the day earlier with a group of offenders targeting The Harlequin Sports Bar on Great North Rd in the same suburb just before 1am on Friday.
Multiple staff and patrons were inside the premises when the offenders entered.
"One person has fired a shot inside the premises, which has struck a wall behind the bar and the offenders have taken money from the tills and gaming machines before fleeing," Det Snr Sgt Martin Friend said.
It's believed the offenders in these armed robberies are also responsible for the robbery at Mt Albert Sports Bar on New North Rd at about 2:20am on Thursday, said Friend.
"We believe these three incidents are linked and we're following positive lines of enquiry but need the public's assistance to find these offenders before they injure someone."
All staff and patrons who have been victims of these aggravated robberies have been offered Victim Support by police.
"We are now working hard to identify and locate those involved so we can hold them accountable and are currently seeking any witnesses to come forward if they haven't yet," Friend said.
People can get in touch with the police by calling 105 or anyone wishing to give information anonymously should call Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. People can quote the following file numbers in relation to the robberies.
230914/9893 - Mt Albert Sports Bar Thursday September 14
230915/4397 - Harlequin Sports Bar Friday September 15
230916/8450 - Wapiti Sports Bar Saturday September 16
