Vandals attack store window
High Country Clothing has become the latest victim of vandalism in Taihape after its window was smashed.
Police said the incident happened during the night of January 27, but they did not have any suspects.
The window smashing comes after a series of break-ins and vandalism in the Rangitikei town during October.
A Taihape cafe was broken into two nights in a row on October 4 and 5, with intruders picking the lock and taking money from the register. Stones were also thrown through a window at the Mobil Service Station during the night of October 10.
During the same week, residents near the Mobil also reported someone had been trying their luck with their door handles.
High Country Clothing worker Michelle Mckay was thankful the shop’s window didn’t shatter and nothing was stolen.
‘‘That’s the silver lining, I guess,’’ she said. ‘‘It’s just lucky they didn’t get in.’’
It’s the first time High Country Clothing has had a smashed window or break-in attempt, Mckay said.
‘‘It’s a big window and it has the signage or shop logo on it ... that will increase the cost to replace.
‘‘I don’t think they’ve done it to break in and steal anything, probably just a bit of mischief.’’
Mckay said the shop had security cameras, but none covered the front of the shop.
With little evidence, she didn’t hold much hope of catching the culprits.
‘‘Unless you catch them in action, on camera, you probably won’t find them. It’s just a nuisance.
‘‘The way the glass broke and caved in, it would have taken an almighty kick.’’
Constable Tony Lomas said the had probably cracked the window with a forceful kick or with a rock.
‘‘There’s nothing on CCTV and it’s not in view of any cameras,’’ he said. ‘‘The way the window has cracked, it appears more likely to have been sustained by a kick.’’
The cracked window has since been replaced.