Auckland and Christchurch retailers are cleaning up on Sunday morning after being hit by ram raiders in an overnight crime spree.
Ram raids were reported in the Auckland suburb of Birkenhead and the Christchurch suburbs of Rangiora and Hornby, with the burglaries occurring in a 20-minute crime spree.
The first ram raid occurred at 4:30am at Rebel Sports in Hornby, where two vehicles reversed into the building.
An employee told Stuff they believed two cars were used to reverse into the building after one vehicle’s initial attempt failed.
The vehicles managed to break through the bollards with concrete bases in front of the store, and the force of the entry took out the aluminium framing of the large storefront window.
Photos from the scene show shattered glass scattered both inside and outside the store.
A police spokesperson said multiple offenders entered the store and fled in another vehicle shortly after.
Just 20 minutes later, a Rangiora High Street commercial premise was also ram-raided.
Police said an unknown number of offenders entered the premises and fled shortly after.
At the same time but up in Auckland, a jewellery store in Birkenhead was ram-raided, with thieves making off with precious items.
Police said they received a report of a burglary at the Nuttall Jewellers store on Mokoia Rd at around 4:50am.
A vehicle was used to gain entry to the store and multiple offenders entered the store and fled in another vehicle shortly after, police said.
Photos from the scene show the metal roller door smashed in, with the offenders believed to have slid under the door to gain entry.
Police said no one had been arrested yet for any of the raim raids on Sunday, but inquiries are ongoing.
"Enquiries are ongoing to ascertain what was taken and to locate those responsible," the spokesperson said.
