Kerikeri liquor store raided three times in six weeks

Kerikeri Liquorland has been targeted by thieves three times in its new owner's first six weeks. Photo/Peter de Graaf

The new owner of a Northland liquor store is disheartened after three break-ins in his first six weeks.

In the latest raid at Kerikeri Liquorland, police say a group of offenders used a hammer to smash a window of toughened glass just after midnight yesterday, then ran off with bottles of spirits as the alarm sounded.

Sandeep Singh, who has owned Kaikohe Liquorland for about the past five years with minimal trouble, bought the Kerikeri outlet six weeks ago.

He had had the business only a few days when the first smash-and-grab occurred on August 23. A second followed late last month and now a third.

Mr Singh said he had been looking forward to having a business in Kerikeri but his optimism was now wearing thin.

"We were quite excited, it's a beautiful town, but incidents like these really make us feel unsafe. The feeling we had when we first came to the town is vanishing now. It's happened three times in six weeks," he said.

"People here are good, it's just a few young ones. I think it's the same ones doing it again and again. Once they get caught it will be much better," he said.

The break-ins also caused financial strain. The thieves didn't get much the second time but on the two other occasions they made off with about $500 worth of stock. With an excess of $1000 there was no point claiming insurance.

"Whatever money we make just goes towards this," he said, gesturing at the boarded-up window. Repairs to the shop cost about $2000 each time.

Sergeant Phil Le Comte, of Kerikeri police, said officers and a security firm responded to the alarm but the offenders had already absconded with bottles of spirits and other items.

Police were going through CCTV footage in a bid to identify the offenders.

A 25-year-old Kerikeri man was arrested after the August break-in.

Any information on the latest break in can be passed to Kerikeri police on 09 407 9211, or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.