Dairy owners protest over growing crime, violence
Group gathers outside PM’s electorate office, other shopkeepers close in solidarity
About 50 shopkeepers have gathered outside Jacinda Ardern’s electorate office in Mt Albert holding signs reading “enough is enough” and calling for harsher penalties for those who commit retail crime.
In Wellington, a minute’s silence was held outside Grant Robertson’s electorate office.
Many dairies across the country shut their stores yesterday for two hours in protest at rising burglaries and in solidarity after worker 34-yearold Janak Patel died in an alleged aggravated robbery at the Rose Cottage Superette in Sandringham.
Act leader David Seymour joined those protesting outside the Prime Minister’s electorate office.
A 34-year-old man was charged with aggravated robbery and murder following Patel’s death.
A second man, 42, was also charged with robbery. Both men were remanded in custody on Saturday.
Another 36-year-old man was to appear in the Auckland District Court yesterday, also charged with robbery.
A Givealittle page set up for Patel’s family has raised more than $65,000.
“This senseless, needless act of violence has destroyed a life full of promise. It has robbed our community of someone trying to make a positive contribution from behind the counter,” the page read.
Patel, who recently married, confronted a thief who stole a cash register from the store. He was fatally stabbed.
This senseless, needless act of violence has destroyed a life full of promise. Givealittle page
The death sparked an outpouring of grief and anger in the community.
Last week flowers and tributes were laid outside the Rose Cottage Superette and many gathered to pay their respects at a candlelit vigil.
A service was held for Patel on Sunday at Anns Funeral Home in Wiri.
The 34-year-old’s wife, parents, sisters and other family were among the mourners, as was Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern who hugged Patel’s widow Vijeta.
Ardern said she attended the funeral because she had received an invitation and it was in her community.As the local MP she wanted to do right by the family.
“Sitting amongst his family and friends . . . brings back the fact that a life has been taken and family’s lives have been shattered.”
MPs and former politicians — including Priyanca Radhakrishnan, Mark Mitchell, Michael Wood and Kawaljit Singh Bakshi — attended the service, as did Detective Inspector Scott Beard who is leading the investigation
into Patel’s death.
The master of ceremonies at the service, Mitesh Dhanji, said Patel and his wife had moved from Hamilton to Auckland last week to run the dairy while its owners were overseas.