‘What more must businesses do?’: North Shore jewellery store Nuttall Jewellers ram raided for second time, a week after fog cannons installed

A jewellery store in Birkenhead has been ram raided early on Sunday morning - a week after fog cannons were installed.

Owner Nilesh Kumar said they had been asking the local business association to have bollards put up in front of his shop, but the ram raiders struck before that could happen.

Kumar, who has yet to enter the shop when he spoke to the Herald, said he believed the group had made off with “many precious items”.

An exasperated Kumar, who has owned the store for over two years, said: “We have done all we can about security, but still this happens. What more must businesses do, close up shop and move to Singapore?”

Police speaking with Nuttall Jewellers owners after the store was hit by ram-raiders. Photo / Lincoln Tan

This was the second time in just slightly more than a year that Nuttal had been hit by ram raids, the last time being March 2022.

Police received a report of a burglary at the Nuttall Jewellers store on Mokoia Rd at around 4.50am.

A car was used to gain to the premises, police said. Multiple offenders entered the store and fled in another vehicle shortly after.

Inquiries were under way to work out what had been taken and to locate the offenders, police said.

Photographs from the scene showed a grey Nissan Tiida in front of the store. The metal roller door has been smashed in. The offenders were believed to have slid under the door to gain entry.

The ram-raiders are believed to have stolen many precious items. Photo / Lincoln Tan

Watches and other items could be seen strewn across the footpath.

Kumar’s wife, who did not want to be named, said they moved to New Zealand from India more than 30 years ago.

“New Zealand used to be so safe, but now crime is out of control,” she said.

She said their minds were still “in a blank” and did not have any idea what they are to do next.

“I think we just have to focus now on clearing up the mess that’s at our shop, we are very distraught.”

Wife of Nilesh Kumar, who does not want to be named, said they haven't decided on what to do next. Photo / Lincoln Tan

Ram raiders struck retailers in Auckland and Christchurch in a crime spree overnight, with incidents also reported in the Christchurch suburbs of Rangiora and Hornby.

At 4.30am, two vehicles reversed into Rebel Sports in Hornby - two cars were believed to have been used.

The cars managed to break through bollards with concrete bases in the stores’ front and the force of entry took out the aluminum framing of the large storefront window.

Police said multiple offenders entered the store and fled in another vehicle shortly after.

About 20 minutes later, a Rangiora High St commercial premises was ram raided.

Police said an unknown number of offenders entered the premises and fled shortly after.

No one has yet been arrested for any of the ram raids, but police said inquiries are ongoing to ascertain what was taken and to locate those responsible.

Police received a call about the burglary around 4.50am. Photo / Hayden Woodward

The same store was also ram raided in March 2022.

The jewellery store was also ram raided in March 2022. Photo / Michael Craig