Dairy owner left fearful after thefts
Suborna Anowar lies awake at night worried about the safety of her children after her Titahi Bay dairy was targeted by a pack of thieves.
The owner of Te Pene Foodmart and mother of four young children has suffered from anxiety and health concerns after two thefts last month left her $600 out of pocket.
A third attempt was stopped when Anowar noticed the men outside and asked a customer to stay with her.
‘‘I don’t know how long I can carry on because at this moment I feel very sick. I’m worried and I can’t sleep. I’m not worried about me. I’m worried about my kids,’’ she said.
Porirua Police senior sergeant Steve McCormick said Anowar was not the only victim of the group and that three other stores nearby had been targeted recently.
He said that though footage had led to names being thrown around in relation to the spike in thefts, police had not identified anyone and an investigation was in progress.
‘‘There is some follow-up work being done in relation to the identities,’’ he said.
Anowar said the worst part was that she knew who the men were, but not their names.
Her four security cameras caught the thieves on film, but no images clearly show their faces.
During the first theft, the men stole corn chips and drinks. In the second they took a whole tray of ice- cream from her freezer.
Anowar lives behind the store and runs it by herself with no family support because her husband is overseas.
‘‘ I don’t know any people because I am new here and I have the business so can’t make any friends.’’