Hamilton police have been busy overnight responding to five burglaries across the city, including four ram-raids.
Police said the first burglary was a ram-raid at a retail store on Horsham Downs Road at 2:11am.
"The offenders stole a quantity of alcohol before fleeing in the same vehicle," a police spokesperson said.
The second incident was another ram-raid but the thieves didn't manage to break into the shop on Grey Street at about 2:40am
"The vehicle was left running which caused it to catch on fire. The offenders fled in a different vehicle," the spokesperson said.
The next burglary was at just before 3am when offenders tried to break into a retail store on Borman Road using what appeared to be a metal bar.
Police said the thieves were unsuccessful and absconded when officers arrived.
The fourth burglary was at shortly before 5am when another ram-raid occurred at a Cambridge Road service station.
"The offenders stole a number of items before decamping in the vehicle," the spokesperson said.
The last burglary was the fourth ram-raid of the night, where thieves broke into a Holland Street shop at about 5:15am.
"Offenders stole property before leaving on foot. The vehicle has been secured by police and will be forensically examined," the spokesperson said.
Police said they're in the early stages of investigating the burglaries.
"While it is likely the last two incidents are linked, it is too early to determine whether they all are," the spokesperson said.
"Anyone with information is asked to contact police via 105. Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or online - www.crimestoppers-nz.org."
Auckland also saw a night of crime with a Michael Hill Jewellery store burglared while thieves tried to rob a liquor shop but were unsuccessful.
It comes after Police Minister Chris Hipkins said in Parliament last week there had been 129 ram-raids since May with "almost all of them" committed by people under 18.
RNZ reported last month there had been a 400 percent increase in ram raids in five years.
