Raiders smash way into store

Police are on the hunt for two men who rammed their way into Masterton's Western Auto Mart using a car, early on Wednesday morning.

Owner of the Ngaumutawa Rd business Ian Eades said the pair rammed through a large window at the front of the store about 1am.

They were apparently intending to get to an ATM inside the store, although any cash is taken out each night.

As soon as the pair realised they could not get any money they "high-tailed out".

Mr Eades said they would have smashed the machine if the door had not been left open.

The intruders, caught on a security camera, did not attempt to take anything else.

"I would say there was less than 30 seconds and they were in and out."

Some of the furniture had "skated" across the room and there was glass left everywhere, although that was the extent of the damage.

The alarms were activated and the two were wearing hoodies covering their faces.

Mr Eades said a similar incident had happened over a decade ago.

"Back then I used to get really wild about it.

"It's not what they get, it's what it costs to fix it."

The window was expected to be fixed tonight after parts had arrived.

Wairarapa police Detective Sergeant Tracey Calder said the car might have damage to the rear and had been described as a light-coloured four door hatchback. "I urge anyone who may have any information regarding this burglary or the current location of the motor vehicle to contact police, or that may have information in relation to the vehicle used during the burglary," she said.