Windows broken in burglary attempt

"They tried to take the [cigarette] cabinet to take smokes, but broke my window." DJ'S Dairy owner Jitu Patel

Cigarette-seeking thieves have caused thousands of dollars worth of damage to a Tararua dairy.

DJ’S Dairy, on Vogel St in Woodville, was broken in to about 4.30am on Friday.

Owner Jitu Patel said it appeared the offenders were after the store’s supply of cigarettes.

‘‘They tried to take the [cigarette] cabinet to take smokes, but broke my window.’’

His till was also broken, as well as the lotto machine and pie warmer.

The cost of the damage would likely be in the thousands, he said.

‘‘Just five minutes and [they were] gone.’’

The diary was last burgled in 2014.

On that occasion, cigarettes were taken, but Patel said this time ‘‘they are not getting anything’’.

Patel said the attempted burglary had been very hard to deal with.

Woodville Senior Constable Karl Williams said the thief had been trying to get the cigarette cabinet out through a window, but was unsuccessful.

The matter investigated.

Friday’s incident comes just days after two other robberies in the wider Tararua district.

Two men entered the Dannevirke Caltex about 1.15pm on Thursday March 23.

The offender allegedly pulled out a pistol before demanding cash and cigarettes from staff.

Senior Sergeant Jymahl Glassey said a 17-year-old male was being was arrested on Wednesday morning.

He would appear in Palmerston North District Court, charged with aggravated robbery, Glassey said.

A second teenager, a 16-yearold, was arrested on Thursday.

He appeared in Palmerston North District Court charged with aggravated robbery on Friday.

Glassey said police would like to thank the public for their help in arresting the suspects. He said police were pleased for the community that the arrests were made so quickly.

However, police were still appealing for information about the robbery of the Dannevirke Four Square on Saturday March 25, about 8.30pm

The offender involved in the Four Square robbery, who was armed with a crowbar, stole money. A police spokesman previously said a small amount of cash was found at a nearby dog track and was believed to be linked to the robbery.

Four Square owner Robbie Williams said both staff members at the shop during the robbery were doing OK.

People with information about the crimes can contact police on 06 351 3600 or give information anonymously via the Crimestoppers Line 0800 555 111.