Thieves do $1500 in damage for two chocolate bars

A botched ramraid did $1500 of damage to a Rotorua service station -- but the thieves only managed to steal two chocolate bars for their trouble.

Mobil Westbrook manager Gary Bourke , whose petrol station was one of three Rotorua businesses ramraided on Thursday night -- said it was not worth claiming insurance, so all he could hope for was that the thieves were caught.

As well as the Malfroy Rd service station , two stores were robbed in the Te Ngae Shopping Centre -- Meikles and Coin Save .

The Four Square in Ngongotaha was also hit by would-be burglars at about the same time.

Police are not sure if the same group is involved but say they can not ignore the coincidence.

Mr Bourke said a brick was thrown through the service station window to gain entry before a gas bottle was used to try and smash open the cigarette cabinet.

The cabinet remained intact but was dented.

It appeared the burglar alarm scared the thieves off before they could take more than two bars of chocolate.

"They've done $1500 worth of damage for a couple of cakes of chocolate. It's crazy," said Mr Bourke.

Although the damage was extensive, it wasn't worth claiming insurance.

"Each time we have a claim, our excess goes up and up.

"Our excess is too high now. We've just got to grin and bear it."

Ngongotaha Four Square owner Failesh Patel said the burglars who tried to break in through the roof of his shop cut the phone lines to prevent the burglar alarm sounding but a back-up alarm sounded, scaring them off before they could steal anything.

Mr Patel said he was determined not to let it get him down. "That's life... you can't let any idiot get to you."

At Coin Save in Te Ngae thieves drove a car through the front window, making off with watches, Ford jackets, clothing and shoes.

Meikles was broken in to a short time after with cameras, portable DVD and CD players, cellphones and other appliances stolen.

Police are asking that anyone with information call 0800 TIPOFF.

- NZPA