Car thieves torch shop after crash

A Palmerston North fruit and vege store was torched by the occupants of a stolen car which was driven through its front window early today.

The store, on the corner of Tremaine Avenue and Melden Street, was set alight around just after 3am after the Mazda 626 smashed into the shop, Inspector Mike Coleman of central police communications said. The occupants then fled the scene.

Police guarded the scene overnight until fire safety officers arrived this morning, Mr Coleman said.

- NZPA