Liquor store ram-raided

RAM RAID: The Springfield Liquor store was broken into yesterday morning by people using a car to break down the door. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

A stolen car has been used to ram the front of a Rotorua liquor store in the early hours of this morning.

Rotorua police say they are still looking for the people who ram-raided Springfield Liquor on Otonga Rd around 2am.

The owner of Springfield Liquor, who did not want to be named, told the Rotorua Daily Post yesterday the thieves got away with about $1000 worth of cigarettes and badly damaged his security door.

The owner said CCTV footage showed at least three thieves trying to break into the front of the store using a crow bar.

When that failed, they backed a vehicle into the front door four times allowing them to get inside.

The owner said the thieves then tried to remove the store's safe.

"But they would have found nothing, we don't keep money in the store overnight," he said.

"They did not even steal any alcohol, so it could have been worse."

He said staff had to stay at the site overnight because the shop could not be secured.

The owner said it was the third major robbery at the site in five years.

"Five years ago we were robbed by someone with a knife and they took the till and a few spirit bottles. Three weeks after that some guys came in with a gun and took more alcohol."

But, he said there had been countless "grab and runs" since he took over the store.

"They just come here and just grab things and run. I'm sick of it happening to us.

"The police in Rotorua do a great job, they are excellent, but I think the robbers get away with it for almost nothing. The courts don't punish them."

He said his store had eight security cameras in the shop covering all angles inside and down the street. CCTV footage has been passed on to police.

Rotorua police Detective Sergeant Tony Colby said no arrests had been made.

"But, we have located the vehicle, which turned out to be stolen, and has been returned to the owner."

He said police carried out a scene examination and the investigation was ongoing.
"It's early days and a work in progress."

He asked anyone with any information about the robbery to call Rotorua police on (07) 349 9400.