Vehicle seized after midnight robbery leads to hours-long west Auckland op

Author: Herald Reporters,
Publish Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2026, 9:18am

Nearly two dozen police cars and the Police Eagle helicopter were reportedly involved in a major police operation in Henderson this morning. Photo / ADS-B Exchange

A major pre-dawn operation in west Auckland was sparked after an aggravated robbery in Manurewa where a firearm was presented during a fight.

Counties Manukau CIB Detective Inspector Karen Bright said police were following positive lines of inquiry following an attempted aggravated robbery in Manurewa late last night.

“Around 12.38am Police were called to Sharland Ave after reports a firearm was presented during an altercation.

“The alleged offenders left the address prior to Police arrival.

“Enquiries led Police to an address on Rathgar Road, Henderson, where a vehicle has been seized for forensic examination.”

Bright said all parties involved were believed to be known to each other and there were no reported injuries.

The investigation remains ongoing, she said.

Earlier police confirmed they were attending an “ongoing police investigation”, which began at around 5am in Henderson and concluded shortly before 7am.

On social media, bystanders reported seeing nearly two dozen police cars, members of the Armed Offenders Squad and the Police Eagle helicopter in an area around Riverpark Reserve.

One resident reported it appeared “something pretty massive going down” given the large police presence.

Others said the helicopter had been flying unusually low over Henderson.

At one point, it returned to its base in Onehunga before rejoining the operation.

A resident living near Riverpark Reserve, who did not wish to be named, told the Herald she awoke to the beating sounds of a helicopter in the air around 5am.

“It was bloody loud.”

She did not know what had unfolded but said it was an unusual amount of commotion for so early in the morning.

Earlier a police spokesperson said the pre-dawn operation related to an ongoing police investigation, which has now concluded.

“Further details will be available later this morning.”