Third break-in frustrates shop owner

FED UP: Western Auto Mart on Ngaumutawa Rd has been broken into for the third time in less than a year. The thieves smashed through the glass on the single door to the left and then the main door to the right. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

A Masterton business owner says he is fed up after his store was broken into for a third time in less than a year on Wednesday.

Two people broke into the Western Auto Mart on Ngaumutawa Rd at 3.20am, smashing their way into the shop using a hammer, before fleeing empty-handed.

Owner Ian Eades said the pair first tried to gain access to the building by smashing the workshop door, and when that failed they smashed and kicked their way in through the front door.

It was frustrating as it was the third time since September the business had been broken into, and he had "had enough", Mr Eades said.

Earlier this year three men rammed a car through the front door of the business before fleeing with only two drinks.

He was now faced with another bill to replace the doors that had been smashed, Mr Eades said.

"It's another cost. It doesn't help me any."

The two thieves, who were probably male, could be seen on CCTV footage checking out the area where the cigarettes were kept but fled without taking anything, he said.

"They got themselves in and out with absolutely nothing ... there was heaps of things they could of taken and they left with nothing.

"Why? To achieve nothing?"

He could not understand people causing "all that damage for a pittance", he said.

The thieves were in the store for about three minutes and the alarm would have been activated after about 30 seconds, Mr Eades said.

The pair, who were wearing hoodies, hats and possibly masks, could be seen getting into a vehicle parked outside after leaving the shop, he said.

Police recovered the vehicle used in the burglary on Kibblewhite Rd later that day.

Senior Sergeant Mike Sutton said police were reviewing the CCTV footage and checking for any possible links to similar break-ins.

Anyone with information should contact Masterton police on 06 3700378 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.