A West Auckland Post Shop manager has been up since 3am cleaning her shop after it was ram-raided this morning.
“I have big curses going out for them,” Titirangi Lotto and Post Shop manager Aboli Bhave told the Herald.
Bhave was woken up by a distressing call in the early hours of the morning.
“It was the security company telling me that multiple alarms had been activated at the store.
“When I got here police were already investigating.”
Bhave said the group of offenders had first stolen a car on South Titirangi Rd and then minutes later targeted the shop leaving it in a complete state of disarray.
“Despite the sound of alarms, they went in like they were free to do what they wanted.”
The CCTV footage showed it took the group two large blows to shatter the front glass, Bhave said.
“Once they were inside, one man broke the inside of the post area, the other went to the Lotto area and took the empty cash register.... we don’t leave a cent in there.
“A lot of stationery items, art material and greeting cards were left on the floor. They left a huge damage which would cost thousands.”
Bhave said the cleanup was likely to take at least a week.
“I have been here since 3am. It has made me very insecure. I don’t feel like coming to this place.
“For the people who did this, I have no mercy for them at all.
“They should be punished heavily for what they have done not just a simple pat on the back.”
It was the first time the store had been ram-raided, she said.
“There was a break-in six weeks ago where a similar thing happened, the culprit took the empty cash register.”
Police have been investigating the overnight burglary incidents at Titirangi Lotto and Post and Henderson’s Dollar Saver store this morning.
Officers were called to the scene on Rangiwai Rd at 3.12am, a police spokesperson said.
“Police responded to reports of the burglary on Rangiwai Rd, where it is understood a vehicle was used to gain entry.
“The vehicle involved was abandoned at the scene and has been recovered.”
At this stage, police inquiries remain ongoing to determine the circumstances, including what was taken and who was responsible, they said.
“Anyone with information that may assist is asked to contact Police via our 105 phone service or online at https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105, using Update My Report.
“Please reference file number 230414/2935. Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Shortly after 5am, Police were called to another scene of a smash-and-grab style burglary in Henderson.
The glass front of the Dollar Saver store on Great North Rd had been busted in and display items pulled out.
Some of the items could be seen lying on the ground.
A police spokesperson said they responded to the incident in Henderson around 5am and officers were making inquiries.
“One person has taken a number of items from the premises before fleeing the scene.
“Inquiries to locate the individual are ongoing.”
Anyone with information that may assist police can contact them on 105, referencing job number P054304142.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
One person alleged to have been linked to an earlier burglary was arrested by officers in Pukekohe last night.
The 30-year-old man is facing drug and firearm-related charges in the Pukekohe District Court today.
During a search warrant officers also seized a firearm, a police spokesperson said.
“Around 9.10pm, police located a vehicle of interest at an address in Pukekohe, which is alleged to be linked to an earlier burglary police had been investigating.
“A firearm, drugs, drug paraphernalia, and ammunition was located in the vehicle and police arrested the registered owner of the vehicle a short time later.
“As this matter is before the Court, police are limited in further comment.”
Police have advice for people who come across a crash scene.