Hikurangi dairy owner says burglars in $10,000 tobacco snatch 'young and tough'

One cigarette cabinet was emptied in the latest burglary of the Kingsway Dairy. Photo/File

The owner of a Hikurangi dairy who says he's been burgled 11 times in 14 years described the latest offenders who took about $10,000 of tobacco products as "young and tough".

About 4.45am yesterday four men smashed the glass front door of the Kingsway Dairy with a football-sized rock and, in a frenzied three-minute snatch, took more than $10,000 worth of tobacco products, and some drinks and food.

The dairy owner, who asked that his name not to be printed, said he believed a gang was hitting stores around Northland.

Detective Sergeant Dave Wilkinson said Whangarei police could not confirm the Hikurangi burglary was related to others at the Sunnyside Dairy at Tikipunga and Parua Bay Four Square, both in the early hours of last Wednesday.

The shop owner said this 11th hit on his livelihood could be the last straw.

"Is it worth having a dairy these days?"

One cigarette cabinet was broken into and emptied but the other, more secure one was left alone. The shop owner said he was unlikely to restock.

SMASH AND GRAB: One cigarette cabinet was emptied.

"I've cancelled all my deliveries, and I think I'll wind it up now, let it go."

No one was in the shop at the time, but the man and his family live in attached accommodation.

He was woken by the alarm and, after unlocking the adjoining door, got into the shop only in time to see the burglars rush out, jump in a car and take off.

He said there were four of them and they were "young and tough".

During the burglary, the offenders also went into the shop's office and stole the owner's daughter's maroon-coloured schoolbag containing her phone and other electronic equipment.

Wilkinson said the police would to like hear from anyone who might have seen a car near the shop around the time, heard people talk about the burglary or been offered cheap tobacco products.

Phone Whangarei police (09) 430 4500, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.