RSA collection box ram-raid thieves should show mana, turn themselves in, urge police

Northland Police Inspector Justin Rogers said police were closing in on four offenders who targeted the Paparoa GAS station on Wednesday morning, stealing an Anzac Day collection box. Photo / Google

A group of "despicable" thieves who stole donations to the RSA should show some "mana" and turn themselves in.

Northland Police Inspector Justin Rogers said police were closing in on four offenders who targeted the Paparoa GAS station on Wednesday morning.

"I would appeal to the people involved; have some mana and come forward.

"You will be caught and you have been caught on camera - get yourself some form of dignity while you still can and do the decent thing and give yourself up."

GAS Paparoa assistant manager Amandeep Singh said a car ploughed into the building just before 1am.

He said the thieves tried, unsuccessfully, to steal cash and cigarettes, but stole an Anzac Day collection box on their way out.

They fled the scene on foot after their car became stuck in the front of the building.

Inspector Rogers said inquiries into the incident are ongoing.

"To try and smash into a business and take someone's livelihood is bad enough, but here we have offenders who have no respect whatsoever - even for our veterans - and I would go so far as to say it is just downright despicable."

There had been around $80 in the collection box.