A long-established family-run jewellery and fashion store, Kaysons—known for its collection catering to Indian tastes—was raided by armed robbers in Auckland on Sunday afternoon, with one attacker allegedly striking a family member twice with a hammer, Stuff has reported.
The incident in New Lynn has left staff "severely traumatised," according to Sunny Kaushal, chair of the ministerial advisory group for victims of retail crime.
“This hardworking family has been running their business for the past 25 years and is well known for their contributions and support to the local community,” said Kaushal, who visited the store on Monday.
Kaushal called for urgent legal reforms to crack down on such crimes. “We need a true zero-tolerance approach, one that ensures offenders know they will be caught and will face meaningful consequences,” he said.
According to Kaushal, at least three attackers stormed the shop, one armed with a hammer and another with a large knife. The individual wielding the hammer allegedly struck a male family member and issued a death threat before the group fled with stolen items.
“It could have gone anyway wrong... This could have been another tragedy,” Kaushal added.
Police confirmed they were called to the scene at around 3:40 p.m. on Sunday following reports of a group entering the store, assaulting a worker, and stealing goods before fleeing.
While no serious injuries were reported, the assaulted individual sought medical treatment. The offenders left in two vehicles, and police are actively investigating to identify and locate them.
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