Police forensic staff at Good Honest Tattoos in Hamilton this morning after it was burgled and then set on fire. Photo/Belinda Feek
Police forensic staff at Good Honest Tattoos in Hamilton this morning after it was burgled and then set on fire. Photo/Belinda Feek
Staff of a Hamilton tattoo parlour ransacked by burglars then set on fire say they're not aware of anyone who has a problem with them.
Police are now working out what was stolen as fire investigators look into where and how the blaze started inside Good Honest Tattoos in the Dinsdale Shopping Centre on Whatawhata Rd about 2.20am today.
Waikato Senior Sergeant Simon Cherry said a stolen Mazda Atenza was found burned out on nearby Grove Pl about 10 minutes later. Police will investigate if it is linked to the burglary.
Cherry said the shop was fire and smoke damaged so it was too soon to know what had been stolen.
"There's a lot of smoke damage. It's possible the fire was caused to try and cover their tracks from the burglary. We've got a scene guard there and CIB and fire investigators are in attendance."
Kohi said he was disappointed and was unaware of anyone who had a beef with them.
"It is what it is. S*** happens. There's not much you can do about it. It's pretty random. I don't know what their problem is."
He said he was notified as soon as the alarm was set off and went straight to the shop.
"I'm pretty sure it started at the back. There's a lot more smoke damage at the front of the shop but the building's pretty bad."
The tattoo parlour will be closed for an unknown period of time. Clients are urged to contact staff to reschedule their bookings. Photo/Belinda Feek
Art work hanging on the walls was destroyed but staff hope their tools have survived the blaze. Photo/Belinda Feek
Part of the roof was extensively damaged but he hoped the tattooing tools would be okay as they were kept secured.
"Emotionally, I'm not like, furious. It sucks and it's annoying but you can't be too surprised. We've still got our name and you can't take away what we do for a living. Whoever did this was a nobody piece of s*** who burned heaps of artwork that people have done."
Six tattoo artists are based at the store, which had moved from Claudelands to the Dinsdale shopping centre less than a year ago.
"There's enough of us here that you thought if you had a problem with us you could come and talk to us."
Kohi urged any of their clients who had bookings to get in touch. The tattooing would likely be done in his garage.
Fire investigator Peter Hallett said he couldn't elaborate on the cause yet but confirmed the damage to the interior was "significant".
