Burglary arrests as more ram raids occur
Police have recovered more than $100,000 in stolen property and two people have been arrested after burglaries at two designer stores in Auckland’s CBD on January 28 and February 21.
The Auckland Central Tactical Crime Unit arrested a 31-year-old woman for allegedly receiving Louis Vuitton products valued at more than $1000 and a Tiffany diamond ring valued at $2275.
A 39-year-old man has been arrested in Dunedin and charged with two counts of burglary and one of attempted burglary. He was set to appear at Dunedin District Court yesterday, police said.
“In addition to this arrest, police have recovered more than $100,000 worth of luxury goods that had been taken in those burglaries,” Detective Senior Sergeant Salton said. “Our investigation into the burglaries continues and we cannot rule out further arrests or charges being laid.”
The arrests relate to incidents that took place before a series of ram raids, including one on Auckland’s Queen St on April 11 that caused damage to Louis Vuitton and Gucci stores.
Meanwhile, a West Auckland petrol station was targeted by ram raid thieves yesterday.
Police were called to the Mobil service station on West Coast Rd in Oratia, near Glen Eden, just after 2.30am.
Photos from the scene reveal bollards were no match for the thieves, who used a vehicle to slam through the concrete block front wall.
A witness said the vehicle used was abandoned and he understood those involved made off in a second car.
“It’s deja vu,” he said of the ongoing ram raids around the city.
The vehicle rammed into the side of the shop where the night-pay service usually operates.
It is not yet known whether any staff were injured.
The ram raid is one of several to take place this week and over the past few months.