A fuel station in Auckland's Mangere has become the latest targeted by retail crime

Police say five offenders smashed the windows of Gas Coronation Road with hammers just after 9 last night, and tried to threaten a store worker locked in the back room into opening the safe.

Police say the offenders made off with a number of smokes before dumping that vehicle nearby, and getting into a second vehicle that was waiting.

They say the dumped vehicle has been towed for forensics.