'Fearing my life': Teen robbers steal $7000 heirloom in station lane attack

Police are hunting for teens who allegedly targeted a pair of university students and yanked off an heirloom piece of jewellery during a daylight attack near a West Auckland train station. 

During the violent incident, which left them fearful of public transport, one of the University of Auckland students was put in a chokehold and a $7000 necklace was allegedly taken. 

Waitematā west area prevention manager Acting Inspector Nick Salter confirmed inquiries were underway to locate those responsible after an aggravated robbery reported in Henderson on September 9. 

One victim told the Herald that he and his friend, both 19, were walking to Sturges Rd Train Station about 5.30pm when the incident unfolded. 

The victim, who wished to remain anonymous, said they were approached on a walkway leading to the platform by three young people, which started harmlessly. 

The trio complimented their clothes and asked to try them on. 

“He noticed my friend had a gold chain on, which was his family heirloom and immediately he started asking to wear the chain.” 

He said the chain was a cherished heirloom worth about $7000. 

The student said his friend told them no, but the person became “a bit touchy”. 

When they tried to push him away, he said the alleged attacker called his friends over. 

“Two of his friends came over and started putting my friend in a chokehold.” 

He said they began grabbing at the necklace and pulled on it “really tightly”, which left his friend with a red bruise around his neck. 

“All of them were much bigger than us, but this particular person was much bigger, and he was making sure I couldn’t get near my friend,” the student said. 

When he realised things were going south, he said he attempted to call police but was stopped by a member of the group after they snatched his phone. 

“He would say, ‘Do you want me to punch you? Do you want me to hurt you?’” 

He said some of the group put their arms into their pockets, as if they were reaching for a weapon. 

A bystander later tried to help them, but the group allegedly got away with the necklace. 

The police were later called, and the students were told that the trio they described matched the descriptions of youth offenders already known to police. 

Police informed them they could have been just 13 and 14 years old. 

One of the victims said he thought he saw one of the alleged attackers on the same bus as him. Photo / Annaleise Shortland 

‘Fearing my life’ 

On Monday, the student said he believed he had spotted one of the alleged attackers on the same bus. Yesterday, he said he was certain he had seen the same person again. 

He had been avoiding Sturges Rd Train Station since the incident and started going to another station instead. 

“I was at Henderson train station going home. I noticed that one of them was still there, and immediately I tried to get on a bus to just quickly leave.” 

He said the alleged attacker followed him on board with some friends. 

“I immediately just was fearing my life because they tried to talk to me.” 

The student said he ended up sitting near a bunch of people and was “dreading what could have happened”. 

He called police and was advised on how to get off safely but said he was still scared to leave the bus because they would know where he lived. 

The student said he has since asked his family to pick him up so he can avoid public transport. 

“It’s just really worrying to go outside, and every day feels like a risk to leave the house now.” 

His friend is yet to get his necklace back despite efforts to check nearby pawn shops. 

“It’s a very important necklace for him. He’s been constantly worrying about how he’s going to get it back.” 

An Auckland One Rail (AOR) spokesperson said they would not have CCTV of the incident if it happened in a walkway. 

“We have roving security visiting the site throughout the evening, and our Station Control Centre monitors CCTV of stations 24/7,” AOR said. 

Anyone with information was asked to contact police through 105 online or by phone, referencing file number 260909/8175.