Raiders wreak $8k damage for $5

SMASH: Pam Eades and employee Hamish Macgregor next to the windows smashed in the ram raid. The windows have been temporarily replaced by boarding. PHOTO/ANDREW BONALLACK

A night-time ram raid on a Masterton service station has caused an estimated $8000 in damage - all to net the burglars two bottles of energy drink worth $5.

Three young men, whose images were captured on surveillance camera, smashed a car through two floor-to-ceiling windows at Western Auto Mart early Wednesday leaving a "river" of broken glass scattered inside the shop. They fled with only the two drinks.

Ian Eades, who owns the business with his wife Pam, said due to the damage caused, virtually the entire shop front will have to be replaced.

"The camera shows three young guys wearing hoodies and masks who, judging from their physique, look like they are no older than 18.

"They drove the car through the windows with glass going everywhere and it pushed the drinks trolley back, but they couldn't get at anything behind the counter so they grabbed two drinks and drove the car out."

Mr Eades said the car seemed to have suffered little damage in the ram raid as it had a big, strong front bumper.

The smash and grab set off the business alarm system and also alerted neighbours who phoned police.

It was the second ram raid on the service station in 18 months.

In September, 2013, intruders smashed a vehicle through the front of the shop presumably with the intention of targeting a cash machine inside - but left with nothing.

"The ATM is always empty at night so there was nothing to be taken, and there was a sign on the machine alerting people to that fact," Mr Eades said.

He said "in hindsight" it was easy to say bollards at the front of the business could prevent ram raids but it had to be remembered they were very expensive to put in.

Although the business has insurance the excess on the policy is $1000.

Mr Eades said the intruders were likely to be "no-hopers" who could not be compared to people who went out to work, earned money and paid taxes.