Police on Bader St, Hamilton after a series of robberies in Waikato overnight. Photo / Mike Scott
Police are on the hunt for those responsible for a number of burglaries - including a ram raid incident - in the Waikato region overnight.
Authorities confirmed they were called to three burglaries at commercial properties around the district in the early hours of this morning.
The first incident was a ram raid reported at a business on Bryant Rd, in St Andrews, just before 2am.
Another burglary was alerted to authorities at 3.49am on Duke St, in Cambridge - a Noel Leeming store.
At the scene this morning, the entrance doors have been forced open and the windows have been smashed.
Orange cones now sit outside the shop to cordon the area off. Some debris - including what appears to be a beaded bracelet - lay on the ground.
Just inside the door, cabinets have been knocked to the ground; as well as boxed items and other debris.
Despite the overnight incident, however, a sign sitting out the front reads: “Yes. We are open. Please enter around the back.”
A staff member said they would not be speaking about the incident at this time.
While a third burglary was reported at a commercial premises on Sloane St, in Te Awamutu, about 4.30am.
“Police are following lines of inquiry to locate the offenders and to determine whether the incidents are linked,” a police statement said.
Residents are taking to Facebook to report incidents in parts of Hamilton, Te Awamutu and Ōtorohanga.
One witness described a ram raid at a liquor store in Hamilton.
It is also understood officers are investigating reports of a suspected home invasion.
Police said more information is set to be released today.
Can you help? Anyone with information is urged to call Police on 105 or CrimeStoppers Anonymous on 0800 555 111
Two boys walking home were approached by a couple in a car and told to get in.