Stolen vehicles used for raids on shops

File photo / NZ Herald

Thieves are using vehicles stolen from Hawke's Bay to carry out night-time break-ins at shops in inland towns.

Cigarettes, alcohol, clothing and machinery are among items stolen and Dannevirke Police Sergeant Tony Lesueur said six burglaries were connected.

"When you put it all together over Manawatu, Tararua and Hawke's Bay it's a fairly significant lot of stealing, and it's concerning because it has been going on for so long and a high value of property has been taken."

He said the first incident was at the Dannevirke Four Square in July.

Then, on September 13, around $14,000 worth of cigarettes was stolen from Dannevirke New World. The stolen vehicle seen in security footage was later found burnt out in Flaxmere.

New World owner Gary Hassler said the thieves forced open a door to gain access to the supermarket, then ripped down a cigarette display.

"It's frustrating because of the damage they do and then the inconvenience to customers."

On September 19, both Waipawa New World and Waipukurau New World were also targeted, before Takaro New World in Palmerston North had $11,000 worth of cigarettes stolen on September 27.

The same morning, two children's motorbikes were stolen from Dannevirke Suzuki, and Mr Lesueur said a burnt-out stolen car was later found in Hawke's Bay.

"The timing suggests that it is the same offenders and it is confirmed it is the same vehicle," he said.

Mr Lesueur said police were interested in talking to Zion Uncles, a 21-year-old European from Dannevirke who is believed to be in Hawke's Bay.

In Waipukurau, Police Sergeant-in-charge Ross Gilbert said other similar crimes were believed to be related.

He said the town's Sportworld store had been targeted twice in August, and nearby Wines and Liquor and Postie clothing stores had been raided.

General manager of Stevenson and Taylor Ltd in Waipukurau, Bill Donnithorne, who had a wood splitter stolen from him last week, said: "The whole main street has been targeted. They are doing it in the hours they know the police are on call duty."