Arrest after Whanganui cafe burglary, one offender remains at large

Virginia Lake Cafe was targeted in a burglary over the weekend. Photo / Mike Tweed

A 19-year-old man has been arrested after Whanganui’s Virginia Lake Cafe was burgled over the weekend.

Police received a report about 8.30am on Sunday that the premises on Great North Rd had been raided overnight.

Cafe owner Bizen Miyake said when manager Tania Möller arrived on Sunday morning she saw the premises had been burgled.

Cash and critical items for the cafe’s operations, such as tablets and phones, were stolen.

“The back door glass was broken and it seems like they had already been playing about with it,” he said.

Miyake said it was disappointing to learn the cafe had been targeted because he loved Whanganui for how safe it made him feel.

He would like to take steps to improve the cafe’s security, including increasing the height of the gate.

Two offenders were recorded on a surveillance camera in the cafe, which helped police.

A search warrant was executed at a property in Whanganui East after an investigation. A number of the cafe’s items were recovered and returned.

A 19-year-old man was arrested and charged with burglary. He is due to appear in Whanganui District Court on March 3.

Police are looking for one more offender and any associates who may have received stolen items.

Further charges were likely, police said.

Fin Ocheduszko Brown is a multimedia journalist based in Whanganui.