Thieves smash way into shop
‘‘This is a massive risk for a few packets of cigarettes. It's just sad that people do this for such a small amount of gain.’’
Thieves used hammers to smash their way through the windows of a Taupo petrol station to get their hands on cigarettes.
Police reported an aggravated robbery of the Taupo Z petrol station about midnight Saturday.
It is believed two men approached the station near Mitre 10 Mega armed with hammers.
Police say the men smashed through the store window and began to ransack the service station.
The thieves took a large amount of cigarettes from the shop.The target of their crime spree were cigarettes with a large amount stolen from the shop shelves.
A startled attendant managed to lock themselves in a bathroom when he heard the men smashing their way through the glass.
‘‘The men have also stolen the till,’’ Detective Senior Sergeant Matt Cranshaw said.
‘‘They arrived in a stolen grey Subaru, which has now been recovered.’’
Z Energy Limited communications advisor, Georgina Ball, said the robbery was ‘‘disturbing’’.
Z Energy Ltd invested $8 million into high-tech CCTV equipment and Ball said it would help police identify the thieves.
‘‘This is a massive risk for a few packets of cigarettes. It’s just really sad that people do this for such a small amount of gain.’’
Ball added that they have protocols in place for when incidents like this happen.
The staff member involved did everything right to keep himself safe, she said.
‘‘We are really happy with how he followed all the right procedures in place to keep himself safe,’’ she said. ‘‘[Understandably] he is a bit shaken up but will be returning to work soon.’’
The staff member supported by Z Energy.
Police are reviewing the CCTV footage and hope people might be able to identify those responsible.
One of the men was wearing a blue windbreaker, grey pants and white Nike shoes.
The other man wore a black, puma hoodie, cap and grey pants.
Police ask anyone who might have seen the robbery, or anything suspicious activity in the area around midnight on Saturday to contact Taupo police on 07 378 6060 or to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. is being