Five burglaries in one night

Owner of Apparelmaster Kaipara, Janine Tregidga, with the back door that was forced open in the background. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Five commercial premises were broken into overnight in Dargaville, including a Lotto and Post Shop where a Kiwibank ATM was cleared out in a previous burglary.

Three businesses were targeted on Victoria St and two on Beach Rd sometime on Wednesday night and police were late yesterday still trying to establish how many people were involved. Small amounts of cash were taken during the raids.

It was also not clear whether the burglaries were linked.

Senior Sergeant Rob Huys said the Dargaville Post Shop and Lotto was burgled about 4.45am yesterday and unsuccessful attempts made to take money from a cash machine.

Signs on the front door of the Dargaville Post Shop and Lotto after the break-in.

A small amount of cash was taken from elsewhere in the shop.

It was the second time the business had been targeted.

In September 2009, a large amount of cash, believed to be $120,000, was taken from the Kiwibank ATM outside the Lotto and post shop.

Yesterday's burglary was discovered by the shop owner who said the machine had been tampered with but would not elaborate.

Signs informing the public the shop would be closed until further notice were put up yesterday.

Mr Huys said a silver Toyota Rav was stolen during one of the Beach Rd burglaries on Wednesday night and the vehicle was later located submerged in the Kaihu River near Memorial Park.

The stolen vehicle was believed to have been used to do doughnuts on the park grounds.

"Once again, we unsure whether this is linked to the other burglaries but are very interested in any sightings of the vehicle overnight, or of any other suspicious activity in the area."

Janine Tregidga, owner of Apparelmaster Kaipara which was one of the businesses targeted, said one of her staff discovered the back doors open about 5am.

She bought the business in December last year after working there for 19 years.

"We had a little bit of cash ... a couple of hundreds dollars, but we were pretty lucky whoever did this did not trash the place or light fires inside," she said.

"We're a drycleaning business. What on earth did they think they'd get here?".

She said luckily her husband was a builder so he would fix the back doors.

The business opened its doors for trading at noon yesterday.

Alleged burglars of commercial premises are believed to have been responsible for doing donuts on Memorial Park in a stolen Toyota Rav. Photo / Michael Cunningham

The Noise Company next door was also targeted and owner Ken Glamuzina said a small amount of cash was taken.

"I was surprised they didn't touch other stuff. I've been on this premises since April but have been in this business at other locations throughout town for 18 years and this was the first time I've been targeted." Entry was gained through the back door.

Mr Glamuzina said a fellow business owner rang him about 5am yesterday after noticing the back door open. Five burglaries in businesses in one night was "pretty intense", he said, and was not a good look for the town.

Police staff from Whangarei are helping with investigations.

Mr Huys said officers have been collecting forensic evidence, gathering CCTV footage and were working to establish the timeline of the burglaries.

"Dargaville police are very concerned at this type of offending and want to reassure the community that we are taking this very seriously and have a number of staff working on this investigation," Mr Huys said.

No arrests were made when this edition went to press last night. Information that can assist police can be passed on to Detective Sergeant John Tier on 09 439 3400 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.