Warning issued after cash taken

"Keep it secure" is the message from Napier Police.

Police have issued a "keep it secure" warning after two recent thefts of cash from Napier businesses.

Napier police have been alerted to a smash and grab at a local gymnasium.

Gym owner Patrick O'Brien said he and his staff were upset that a number of sentimental items had been taken. The theft happened late at night on November 26.

"They didn't get in the building, just smashed the window and grabbed stuff off the shelves," Mr O'Brien said.

Among the stolen items were a hand-carved Maori patu, several pairs of boxing gloves, a "combat king" glove that had been signed by some prominent boxers and an IKBF (International Kickboxing Federation) belt.

Mr O'Brien received the patu as an award and the signed glove belonged to a close friend of his who passed away a couple of months ago.

It had belonged to 25-year-old Gisborne man Jamie Van Der Kuijl. The prominent young martial artist died in late October after the ATV he was driving left a farm track and rolled down a steep bank.

"It's not the cost but more the sentimental value of the items."

Mr O'Brien said the act was not something you would expect someone to do, "but there are all types I guess".

"We have had a lot of support on Facebook but that is yet to lead anywhere.

"That belt has to be earned so someone will know something," he said.

He remained hopeful that they would be returned at some point.

"We have no footage but we will obviously be using cameras from now on," he said.

In another incident, at a business in Austin St in Onekawa, the value of money thieves came across was described as "a significant amount".

Community constable for the Onekawa area, Mike Burne, said what was especially concerning was that the cash had been stored in a location which was insecure.

Premises in Dunlop Rd had also been broken into after a pane of glass was smashed.

"Once inside a reasonable amount of cash has been stolen from the till float."

Mr Burne said the recent incidents added to a continual problem.

"The chances are if you are holding cash on your premises overnight and you are targeted by burglars they will find it."

He said police strongly advocated not leaving till floats or petty cash at a business outside working hours but that if it were necessary to keep cash on the premises to ensure it was well secured.

Anyone coming across the items or knowing their whereabouts is asked to contact police on 831 0700 or the confidential Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.