The boss of a Hamilton outdoor gear store thinks the thrill and challenge to police is behind a spate of attacks on the shop.
Bivouac Outdoor’s Hamilton branch has been the target of over six break ins and ram raids over the past 18 months.
The Managing Director Wayne Martin said he thinks“It’s about the thrill and the challenge to the police more than making money.”
“Groups are posting on social media, challenging each other and wanting to race with the police - knowing the police have to abandon a chase if it is too fast.”
Martin said it is common for the burglars to take whatever’s closest to the front of the store as well as attack two or three nearby stores.
The first big incident was back in 2020 where the store had to install temporary bollards until they were able to get council approval for permanent ones.
Martin says the biggest issue is the damage caused by the burglars.
“The amount of work involved for staff, and tidying up and stock taking the whole store to try and identify what has been stolen.”
Police are currently investigating the most recent break in which took place around 5.30 am Sunday.
