Robbery victims amazed by support from communities

The owners of two South Canterbury stores targeted by criminals in aggravated robberies say they are determined to carry on, and have praised the community’s support.

St Andrews Store owners Malcolm Hastie and Natcha Tawbunyuen, and Timaru’s Morgans Road Food Market owner Ankit Patel, say while they have been shaken by the separate attacks on their businesses this month, the robberies have not tainted their decision to move to Timaru to set up shop.

‘‘I am happy with the support from the community and the police support,’’ Patel said yesterday.

He said he was confronted by four people who stole cash and cigarettes from his store last Friday morning.

Two of the four, one with a knife, one with a hammer, stood over him, while the other two took cash from two of three tills in the store, he said.

A 14-year-old girl was charged in connection to the armed robbery at the weekend. Police say they are following ‘‘strong leads’’ on the remaining three suspects.

Patel bought the Timaru business in June 2017 and moved here, from Auckland, with his wife and two young daughters.

South of Timaru, the owners of the St Andrews store said they are determined to carry on after armed robbers targeted their shop on January 4.

A 21-year-old man was arrested in Timaru not long after the incident and charged with aggravated robbery, and a second man was arrested on January 8 in connection with the robbery, and also charged with aggravated robbery.

Hastie earlier said some cash had been taken and that the couple were not angry about the incident.

The couple moved from Roxburgh in Central Otago to set up the business in October 2017 and had been overwhelmed with support in the weeks following the robbery, he said.

‘‘The support has been amazing and we feel good about that,’’ Hastie said.

‘‘We’ve been shaken but you have to carry on as you put so much into it.

‘‘You can’t just walk away,’’ Hastie said.

Tawbunyuen said the couple had received numerous gifts and messages of support.

‘‘We’ve had flowers, baking and venison.

‘‘We have made friends and acquaintances in St Andrews.

‘‘It’s very friendly here and we would like to thank everybody.’’ cards,