$1000 reward to catch thieves

A concerned Whangarei resident has put up a $1000 reward for the arrest and successful prosecution of thieves responsible for a ram raid and burglary of two businesses this week.

Thieves in a stolen truck left a trail of destruction after trying to ram through the front doors of a service station then breaking into a supermarket within 30 minutes early on Tuesday

A small flat-deck truck with Whangarei Roofing and Bricks written across the front of the cab was stolen from just south of Whangarei the same morning and police investigating the attempted ram raid said the thieves first tried to smash through the Oakleigh Caltex service station's front doors at 4.07am, then jemmied a door to get into the Ruakaka Four Square about 4.30am.

Yesterday a Whangarei resident contacted Whangarei police and offered the money in a bid to catch the thieves before they struck again.

Detective Sergeant Aaron Crawford hoped the money would act as an incentive for people to come forward with information.

"They are very concerned about what has been going on and want the culprits caught."

He said the resident wished to remain anonymous.

Mr Crawford said people could contact him or Detective Steve Anderson at Whangarei police Station on 09 4304500. Or if people wanted to leave information anonymously they could ring 0800 Crimestoppers or 0800 555 111 - but they would not be eligible for the money.