Tools stolen as theatre broken into again

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Burglars have again targeted the Evolution Theatre group, who lease premises off the Chinese Community Association in Disraeli Street.

This time the offenders made off with several power tools.

The break-in was the third time the group has been hit in less than a year.

In April last year, burglars got inside the premises and stole more than $22,000 worth of theatre equipment.

“They took every tool in the building, our sound and lighting gear, television sets, you name it,” theatre group managing artistic director Dinna Myers said.

“We put an alarm system in after that.”

Some of that stolen property was recovered but there were no arrests made, she said.

There was a second break-in last year in which the thieves went away empty-handed after the burglar alarm sounded.

However, thieves broke in again on Thursday morning of this week.

“The alarm went off at 6.15am,” Ms Myers said.

“They broke a window to get inside and stole a number of Ozito brand power tools . . . a cordless drill, a jig saw, a circular saw and a staple gun, valued together at around $2000.

“We will have to pay for the loss out of pocket. We are all angry and disappointed about this.

“My committee have suggested we put bars on the windows. but why should we have to live in a jail?”

Police were called to the theatre on Thursday morning and have an inquiry under way.

Evolution Theatre is holding the “world premiere” of a new play later this month.

“It’s a family drama about climate change,” Ms Myers said.

It runs from February 22 to March 3.

Tickets are on sale through the Evolution Theatre website.