Crank It Cycles store targeted by thieves again

"That window that was broken triggered the alarm. Once the alarm went off, they scarpered." Steve Pedley

Thieves have caused thousands of dollars of damage to a Palmerston North business for the second time in three months.

A window of Crank It Cycles on Cuba St, Palmerston North, was broken just before 10.40pm on Wednesday.

Three men were seen acting suspiciously outside the store, but did not enter, a police spokeswoman said.

Crank It owner Steve Pedley said it was the second time the store had been targeted this year.

A ram-raid in April saw $17,000 worth of bikes stolen and $20,000 of damage done to the front of the store.

A stolen silver flatbed ute, used in the ram-raid, was later found abandoned.

While nothing was taken in Wednesday’s incident, the broken window would cost a few thousand dollars to fix, Pedley said.

‘‘That window that was broken triggered the alarm.

‘‘Once the alarm went off, they scarpered.’’

Pedley said the three men were in the store about 5pm that day. He suspected they were assessing the stock to determine what to take.

Both incidents were ‘‘incredibly frustrating’’, he said. ‘‘It takes a real toll.’’ Pedley said he had a hard time sleeping on Thursday night. Every time he heard a noise, he thought it was his phone ringing with more bad news.

Social media had proved a powerful tool and after posting security images of them men online, one was identified by a member of the public.

‘‘The fact they are out there walking around, what other businesses are they going to target tonight?’’

Pedley said a silver lining to the incident was the amount of support they received from the public.

A lot of messages of support had been sent through social media and one woman had even baked a cake for them.

‘‘That’s the one positive that comes out of it – there are really, really nice people.’’

Police are reviewing the store’s security footage.

Anyone with information about the incident can contact Palmerston North police on 06 351 3600, or anonymously via Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.

PHOTO: DAVID UNWIN/STUFF Mia Tutaki, 5, has her face painted with a unicorn by Jeanette Poulson from Feral Face Painting and Body Art.

PHOTO: DAVID UNWIN/STUFF Crank It Cycles owner Steve Pedley is frustrated his store has been targeted again.