Raiders hit Masterton laundries

HIT: Thieves targeted the coin boxes at Wairarapa Laundrette.

Thieves have caused at least $2000 worth of damage to laundromat operators in the last week, all for the sake of gaining some loose change.

They targeted two of the Mawley Park coin boxes, which operate their driers, on Tuesday just before 9.30pm in what owner Rodney Algie described as a "brazen" move.

The thieves ripped two of the coin boxes off the wall. They are worth $700 each but "didn't have many coins in them". They caused damage to the wiring of the driers which Mr Algie had to have fixed. All up he said the theft cost him about $2000.

Mr Algie said he will be installing security cameras to prevent further thefts.

He has also had to issue two trespass notices against people coming into the campground without permission. "They just have no respect."

Wairarapa Laundrette on Renall St was also targeted by thieves for its coin boxes last week.

Doug Flemming, who co-owns the laundromat, was un-available to speak to the Times-Age but an employee said it was the second time the laundromat had been targeted.

Senior Sergeant Mike Sutton said: "We are investigating these thefts and if anyone has any information which could assist this investigation please contact Wairarapa police or Crimestoppers.

"We also ask that any places of business that do operate coin operated machines be mindful of the security they have around them. We recommend you monitor their daily use and remove money from these machines on a daily basis to minimise the potential for money to be taken."