Vapeys Vape Store in Panmure, Auckland, robbed for third time in lockdown

An Auckland vape store has been robbed for the third time since lockdown began.

CCTV of the latest incident shows a silver station wagon backing up to Vapeys Vape Store in east Auckland before five young people emerge wearing masks and hoodies.

They run through the store, climbing over the counters and grabbing whatever they can off the shelves, which are already half-empty after previous robberies.

The group then climb out through the glass window at the front of the shop - which was smashed days ago and has not been fixed.

The store, on Jellicoe Rd in Panmure, was first ramraided on August 26 with five people fillings bags with hundreds of products and stealing cash from the till.

It was ransacked again on August 30, with about $40,000 in stock taken across both break-ins.

CCTV shows the latest robbery happened around 12.30am yesterday.

"We have lost hope in the system," the owner told the Herald. He feared those responsible would not be prosecuted due to their age.

After his store was ransacked a second time, owner Naresh said he had been suffering nightmares and panic attacks.

Lockdown was preventing him from improving security.

The shopfront was covered by a wooden board and people could not fix it in level 4, Naresh said. He wanted a metal roller door installed but could not do so during lockdown.

He had considered closing the store altogether but wanted to keep it open for customers who had quit smoking.

Police confirmed in a statement that the store had been robbed three times since August 26.

"Police are making a number of inquiries into these incidents but it is still too early to speculate as to whether they are all linked," the statement said.

"Police have also been speaking to the victim and providing reassurance and further prevention advice."

CCTV footage was still being reviewed and other inquiries were ongoing. Work was still being done to identify those involved.

Anyone who saw something suspicious or had information could call 105 quoting file number 210902/9143, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.