Store hit twice in minutes

A Rotorua superette lost $15,000 of stock when it was burgled twice in 15 minutes yesterday in incidents police do not believe were linked.

In the first burglary, at 4am, thieves escaped with cigarettes and phone cards from the Selwyn Heights Four Square.

Fifteen minutes later, a second lot of thieves were caught stealing cash and alcohol from the Kokako St store.

Police said the first burglars made a hole in the roof and disabled the alarm, snatching $15,000 of phone cards and cigarettes. They escaped by smashing through the rear doors.

At 4.15am, two men were caught taking alcohol and money from the cash registers. Police said they used a car to force open the front doors.

Senior Sergeant Brent Crowe said the two burglaries appeared to be a coincidence because the first was better planned. "It was a lot more professional than the 'nudge raid'," he said.

The items taken in the second burglary were recovered. An 18-year-old male and 22-year-old male were to appear in Rotorua District Court charged with burglary.

Police are still hunting for the first burglars.