“As a country, we need to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to retail crime.
“We need to rapidly adopt new policies like non-lethal defence aids, citizens’ arrests and move on orders to give our police, retailers and security guards the ability to prevent crime from happening.”
The group is hopeful “sensible law changes designed to prevent retail crime incidents” are implemented immediately.
Christchurch district commander Superintendent Tony Hill said police were searching for the remaining offenders.
“[Yesterday’s] attack on an innocent person is shocking, but I hope this arrest brings some comfort to our community”, Hill said.
“The investigation team is working relentlessly to track down those involved.”
Police are seeking information about a silver Toyota MarkX with the registration NRP221, the vehicle used to flee the scene.
“We know other people were involved in this incident and we need to hear from people in the community if they have information that could help us locate the offenders,” Hill said.
“We would like anyone who may have seen this vehicle in the Opawa or surrounding areas to please contact police immediately.”
The business has been owned by the same family for 16 years, but this is not the first time something like this has happened, the owner’s daughter said.
Yesterday flowers were dropped outside the dairy by members of the Opawa community. Photo / Jazlyn Whales
Yesterday, members of the community left flowers outside the dairy.
A Givealittle page has also been set up to support the owner and his family as he recovers, where they are described as a “wonderful part” of the Opawa community.
Anyone who has information can contact police using reference number 251202/2804 or by anonymously calling Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
