RSA Media Release

8 December 2011

RSA deeply shocked and saddened at brutal assault

The RSA movement is devastated that a female staff member has today been brutally attacked at the Hobsonville RSA.

"We are sickened that such a brutal and cowardly act has happened and we are doing everything to support such a valued staff member of the Hobsonville RSA," says National President Don McIver.

Waitakere CIB investigators are at the Hobsonville RSA in West Auckland where the Manager was brutally assaulted during an aggravated robbery this morning.

Investigators went to the RSA’s address in Hobsonville Road at about 9.30am Thursday 8 December 2011. On arrival they discovered that a masked man had entered the clubrooms and forcibly taken a sum of cash in notes and coins.

Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Andy King who is leading the investigation says the manager arrived at the clubrooms soon after 8.00am this morning. As she began her routine cash preparations for another day of business, a masked man has burst into the office. He viciously punched and beat the victim with clenched fists. The intruder pulled the victim along the floor into another room and then bound her.

She courageously managed to break free but was then rebound again. The offender took an undisclosed amount of cash in notes and coins from the club’s bar. He then fled the scene and ran onto Hobsonville Road. Maxine is at Waitakere Hospital where she is receiving treatment for a broken nose. She is traumatised and severely shaken by the incident.

"We believe that our manager with her tremendous courage and total commitment exemplified that Anzac spirit we honour in the RSA," say Mr McIver.

Police want to hear from anyone who has observed any suspicious behaviour in the area where the RSA is located. Members of the public will have been walking or driving on Hobsonville Road near the RSA prior to 8.00am. Anyone with information is urged to call the Waitakere CIB on 09 839.0600 or alternatively call Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

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