Thieves raid guns in daytime burglary

At one house thieves smashed into a locked gun cabinet and stole three firearms; a Stoeger 2000 shotgun, a Ruger 270 rifle and a .22 Ruger and also took ammunition. Photo / File

Thieves smashed into a gun cabinet stealing three firearms during one of several daytime burglaries this week.

Four houses in Whangarei had their powerboards tampered with and houses ransacked during the daytime raids.

Three homes on Whangarei Heads Road were targeted along with one property in Kauri this week. Whangarei police Senior Sergeant Daniel Cleaver believed the burglaries on Whangarei Heads Road were linked.

A burglary victim told the Advocate the experience was infuriating, and also invoked senses of loss and violation.

"It's infuriating that somebody can drive around looking for a house that is empty, break in and help themselves to belongings that we have worked long and hard for," they said.

"It's the special sentimental items stolen that can't be replaced that hurts the most. Our children are really upset and very unsettled by the whole experience as we are."

Two of the Whangarei Heads properties were broken into during the day on Wednesday while the other happened sometime between May 2 and May 6. The properties were within a couple of kilometres of each other in the Waikaraka and Tamaterau areas, were secluded and up long driveways and police believe the break-ins are linked.

At one house thieves smashed into a locked gun cabinet and stole three firearms; a Stoeger 2000 shotgun, a Ruger 270 rifle and a .22 Ruger and also took ammunition.

Mr Cleaver said thieves had searched the entire house emptying cupboards and drawers and stealing a 60-inch TV, a Macbook, meat, bottles of liqueur, fishing rods and a plasma cutter.

At the second property thieves pulled mattresses off beds opened cupboards, drawers and desks and threw food around. A 50-inch TV and a computer were taken.

Mr Cleaver said a chainsaw, bedding and a weed eater were stolen from the third property.

On Wednesday thieves turned off the power at a house in Crane Rd, Kauri before ransacking the house and stealing a 40-inch TV, two Apple laptops and two iPads.

Mr Cleaver said residents in the areas where the burglaries happened should be extra vigilant and take safety precautions such as locking gates, leaving lights or radios on, locking all doors and windows and taking photographs of valuable items, so police can identify any stolen property.

Mr Cleaver said if anyone has information relating to these burglaries they can contact Whangarei Police on 09 430 4500 or if they want to remain anonymous they can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

"If anyone is sold any cheap goods and they are suspicious about the sale then they should also contact police," he said.