The owners of a Paihia electrical store were today still unsure whether any goods had been stolen when a four-wheel-drive vehicle rammed into their shop and caught alight yesterday. The vehicle caused tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage after it was driven through a street-front window of Haigh's 100%Your Electric Store on Williams Rd just before 2am. The vehicle then went up in flames. Matt and Wendy Haigh, who have owned the electrical store for 11 years, were distressed about their seriously damaged business. It was the second time the shop had been broken into, Mr Haigh said. The first time was about eight years ago when electrical goods were stolen in a "smash and grab" during the night. Mrs Haigh said the 4WD had been stolen, but police would not confirm that. "We'll do our best to keep the business going," said Mrs Haigh, who was expecting to be looking through the shop with insurance assessors today. She said the front of the shop was extensively damaged by fire, but a gaping hole created by the invading vehicle had been boarded up. Kaikohe police Detective Constable Greg Johnson was yesterday unable to say whether the fire had been deliberately set or if any goods had been stolen. People in the area ran to the store soon after hearing a crash, and were helping police, Mr Johnson said.
