Rubi Dhillon and Blezard Hairdresser worker Anthony Francis' workplaces were both targeted in last night's break-in. Photo / Stephen Parker
Rubi Dhillon and Blezard Hairdresser worker Anthony Francis' workplaces were both targeted in last night's break-in. Photo / Stephen Parker
A handful of Rotorua store owners have been left feeling "scared" and "unsafe" after their shop doors were smashed and items stolen in an overnight break-in.
Three stores in a shopping complex on Fairy Springs Rd were a late-night target for a lone thief, who shattered their store doors witha rock and stole cash and drinks last night.
But this is not the first time, with one store owner saying incidents like this were happening on a yearly basis.
Rubi Dhillon, owner of Kebab Kitchen, said for the past three years her shop was subject to a break-in as the Christmas season drew near.
Dhillon, who is pregnant, was getting used to the overnight phone call telling her the shop had been broken into again, she said.
Sokumsy Huot said the previous owner had told her before she took over that the store was often subject to break-ins.
For this reason, it was something she was aware of, but did not expect it to happen "just like that", she said.
Huot and her partner were both feeling "uneasy" as they often start work before daylight when people like this were around, she said.
A young boy booked in for a haircut scruffled his hair as he peered through the smashed door of Blezard Hairdressers that was the third target of the attack.
There was extensive damage to all three of the store's front doors. Photo / Stephen Parker
The store had been forced to close for the day as blood splatters from the break-in and glass were shattered all over the floor and footpath and could not be tampered with.
