New gym cleaned out after thieves strike

Aaron Warren is gutted that someone could break in and steal from the new gym, the night after a fundraiser. Photo / Stephen Parker

He's taken a few hits in his time but boxing trainer Aaron Warren said a burglary at his new gym was like "a punch in the back of the head".

The new RotoVegas Boxing Gym is not due to open until February but work has been stopped after thieves broke in and stole paint and tools worth just under $10,000 a night after a fundraiser for the facility.

Saturday night's RotoVegas World Championships was a fundraiser for the new gym, which is on Te Ngae Rd.

"I was there Sunday afternoon," Mr Warren said. "It would have happened in the early hours of Sunday morning."

He realised something was not right after he saw the shed door was wide open.

"I went in and saw that everything was gone. I was gutted."

He said it appeared someone had backed a vehicle into the shed door, which now needed replacing.

"I was more disappointed, if someone wanted the paint so much they could have asked me. They've taken from the kids, and what we're trying to achieve and do for the community. I didn't think anyone would do that.

"It's like a punch in the back of the head as far as I'm concerned."

The fight night raised money for the gym, which offers free boxing lessons to primary school children. Mr Warren said they hadn't counted up the money raised from the event yet but it would be put to good use straight away.

"The paint is only a material thing, no one has been hurt so we've got to keep going."

The stolen items were not covered by insurance. As well as the $3000 worth of paint, rollers, tools and a compressor were taken.

He had taken about 20 calls yesterday from kids that attended the gym who wanted to help find the thieves.