Business owners frustrated after another incident
OWNERS of an Alexandra jewellers are relieved their shop’s ‘‘bulletproof glass’’ was able to withstand an attempted breakin this week.
However, they are annoyed local retailers in the town are being targeted.
Jamies Jewellers coowners Clyde and Rachel Vellacott found the front window of their Tarbert St store damaged yesterday morning.
Nothing was taken as the wouldbe thief was unable to break through the window to enter the premises.
‘‘Even though they didn’t get in, we have crap to clean up and have to pay an excess on insurance — it still costs money,’’ Ms Vellacott said.
It is the second store in the Alexandra street to be targeted by burglars in less than a week.
Ms Vellacott said it was a worrying trend for such a small town.
‘‘You don’t really expect . . . so much crime in a small amount of time.
‘‘We’re local business owners. Why are people targeting people who support their community?’’
Central Otago Sports Depot coowner Stuart Middendorf retrieved $900 worth of goods after he chased down an alleged thief on Friday.
A police spokeswoman said a vehicle was broken into in Theyers St earlier this week. A set of keys was reported to be missing from the vehicle.
Mr Vellacott, who spent yesterday morning reviewing security camera footage, believed a man attempted to break in about 9.30pm on Tuesday.
It was the second incident for the business this year.
Cash, stock and a computer totalling about $15,000 were taken from their Queenstown store during a smashandgrab heist in April.
A In Southland, police have released an image of a person who allegedly robbed a dairy.
They have appealed for information following the burglary of the Salford St Dairy, in Invercargill, about 11.30pm last Thursday.
Vaping equipment and cigarette cabinets were targeted. Two offenders smashed the front door in and entered the shop, where they stole vape fluid cartridges and vaping devices.
The offenders also unsuccessfully targeted a cigarette cabinet.
Police — Call 105.