Stolen vehicle used in a ram raid

A stolen vehicle was used in a ram raid on a Northland service station - the second attack on the station in a week.

Police are investigating the raid on the Parua Bay petrol station in Whangarei Heads that happened about 10pm last night.

Last Wednesday a front window of the same station was smashed about 12.55am, and occupants of a vehicle stole cigarettes.

Today station manager Shannon Blackwell said they would no longer be selling cigarettes after what stock remained had sold out.

"It's just not worth it. There's not much profit to be made on them and it costs more to fix the damage that it's worth."

The business was closed today for clean up but it was hoped it would be open tomorrow.

In the latest incident Detective Senior Sergeant Dene Begbie said a vehicle, believed to be a 1996 red Toyota Prado, drove through the front window of the service station. The station was closed at the time and no people were inside.

The occupants of the Prado stole a small amount of fishing gear before fleeing in the vehicle.

Mr Begbie said the Prado, which was reported stolen from the Whangarei Heads area two days earlier, was found a short time after, abandoned at Mt Tiger.

The occupants had fled before officers discovered the vehicle.

It is not known how many occupants were in the vehicle.

Police are now appealing for sightings of the red Toyota Prado in the days leading up to last night's ram raid.

No arrests have been made in relation to either of the raids.

If anyone has information about the thefts or have sighted a 1996 red Toyota Prado in the Whangarei Heads area on July 11 or 12, please contact Whangarei Police on 09 430 4500 or anonymously to Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.