Collection box theft shocks

A Taupo shop owner is shocked people could steal from charity.

The Rainbow Point Store on Rainbow Drive in Taupo had a Cancer Society collection box stolen on Sunday and the store's owner said it was sad knowing people were prepared to steal from charity. Sarah Saunders said the collection box was taken from the store's front counter about 4pm on Sunday.

She said the staff who were working noticed the thieves come into the store several times that day.

"It happened about 4pm," she said. "The collection box had double-sided tape on the bottom sticking it to the counter so it would have taken a bit of force to take it off."

Ms Saunders said the staff working at the dairy were busy with other customers when the box was taken.

"Luckily one of the girls saw them get into a car and managed to get the car's number plate."

She said she heard there had been a few robberies like this in recent weeks.

Ms Saunders said there could have been about $90 in the collection box.

"It was quite full and we usually find that we get between $85-$90 in there," she said. "The people that did it are just mongrels. It isn't the money, it is the point that they stole from charity and this was for a good cause."

Detective Sergeant Neale Saunders of the Taupo police said the incident was being investigated.

He said police had not yet caught those responsible.

The vehicle used had been involved in other offending so police are keen to catch the offenders.

Contact Taupo police, phone (07) 378-6060.