A terrified worker was alone inside a South Auckland service station this morning as 11 people smashed their way inside.
The male staff member was working at Z Station on the corner of Great South Rd and Taka St in Takanini about 12.15am when the frightening incident unfolded.
Z spokesman Jonathan Hill said the man was physically unhurt, but it was a "very traumatic event for our guy".
"Three vehicles came onto the site with 11 people in them and they tried to smash the front doors. They couldn't do that but they managed to smash a small side window.
"The person inside was told to stay still, which he did, and they took cigarettes and cash ... we don't hold more than $150 on site at any time, so it would be something less than that."
A rock was used to smash the window, but he did not believe other weapons were involved, Mr Hill said.
The station is open 24 hours but the doors are locked at night for security reasons. Customers pay through a small window near the till.
The staff member has been offered support, including counselling, he said.
"It's so unfair. This guy is just trying to make an honest living and this is just horrific. It's just not the Kiwi way."
A police spokeswoman could only say two cars had "driven into the station".
The crime squad were at the scene this morning as the investigation continued, she said.
Burger King Takanini shares a building with the station and the fast food outlet's manager Shivnesh Shankar told the New Zealand Herald a large pane of glass had been smashed.
"The hole is big enough to climb through."
Mr Hill said incidents of people smashing their way into service stations was a "developing problem".
"Over the last three to four months there has been an escalating problem of people either using vehicles or other things to smash their way in ... and then groups of people taking cash and tobacco ... across Auckland."
A similar incident occurred at another Z station last week, and he was aware of rival service stations also being affected, Mr Hill said.
"Our concern is it's only a matter of time before someone gets hurt."
