Seven teenagers have been arrested following an aggravated robbery at McDonald’s in Mt Roskill where windows were smashed with hammers and metal poles, causing thousands of dollars in damage. 

At about 1.28am, Police were notified of a group of offenders smashing their way into the fast food restaurant on Stoddard Road. 

Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Friend, Auckland City CIB, says the group, who were allegedly armed with hammers and metal poles, gained entry to the restaurant by smashing the store’s windows. 

Staff working at the time moved to a secure area and were unharmed in the incident. 

”The offenders have allegedly targeted cash before fleeing in the same two vehicles they arrived in,” Friend said. 

The vehicles were located abandoned on Gifford Ave and Donald Cres and CCTV footage showed the group leaving in a different vehicle, which was found on Dominion Rd. 

The group, two 18-year-olds, three 17-year-olds and two people aged 16, were taken into custody and will appear in court charged with aggravated robbery. 

Police are taking evidence. Photo / Dean Purcell 

Police have opposed bail for this group. 

”This type of behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” Friend said. 

”We hope the community can feel reassured that those involved will be held to account.” 

Police on scene at the McDonald’s in Mt Roskill. Photo / Dean Purcell 

One resident said the building “looked like a war zone” and claimed bullet holes were lodged in the side. 

Photos from the scene show entire window panes peeling off the restaurant with glass strewn over the carpark. 

Police are on the scene investigating the incident which has left the store had disarray, with chairs flipped over, food on the floor and massive holes where windows used to be. 

Photos show investigators with tweezers collecting evidence and taking pictures of the extensive damage. 

A worker across the road said she was unsure what could have caused the significant damage to the building. 

“Every single window is broken from the drive-through to the entrance. 

“With the level of breakage, something very big had to do this.” 

The windows at McDonald’s on Stoddard Rd have been smashed. Photo / Dean Purcell 

She said a handful of police officers remained on the scene. 

Another worker said glass was strewn all around the store and the windows had now been boarded up. 

He said workers were on the scene this morning fixing the windows. 

A spokesperson for McDonald’s said they are assisting police with their investigation. 

Rachel Maher is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. She has worked for the Herald since 2022.