Arrested youth in custody after 5am ram raid

SOLDIERING ON: Staff clean up last week after the 14th break-in at Stirling Sports in Waipapa. PHOTO / PETER DE GRAAF

A 17-year-old from Kaeo has been arrested after a ram raid at Stirling Sports in Waipapa which caused about $20,000 of damage.

About 5am on October 20 a vehicle drove through the side of the store, smashing through large plate glass windows, a storeroom and an internal wall.

Sports clothing was taken in what was the 14th raid on the store, despite repeated efforts by the owners to beef up security.

Police arrested the 17-year-old on Wednesday morning.

He was held in police custody overnight and appeared in the Kaikohe District Court yesterday charged with burglary.

He was remanded in custody and is due back in court on Monday.

Inspector Al Symonds, acting head of Kerikeri police, said more people were sought in connection to the burglary.

Mr Symonds appealed to the public to report anyone selling cheap caps and sports gear.

A relatively small amount of stock was taken in this raid but the damage was expected to cost at least $20,000 to repair.

Store co-owner Eric Hazelden said he was "extremely impressed" by the efforts of local police to catch the people responsible.

The ongoing burglaries were frustrating but he and his staff had no plans to give up.

"We just soldier on," he said.

In a previous ram raid, in May 2013, twin 19-year-old brothers were arrested after a stolen car was used to smash through the front of the store.

-Call the Far North CIB at Kerikeri police station on (09) 407 9211 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.