Another east Auckland business has been targeted by thieves, this time in a ram raid burglary.
Police are investigating the break-in which happened just before midnight on April 4 at David Fels Jeweller in Howick.
Repairs were being carried out to the front of the Picton Street store when the Times visited on Tuesday morning.
Owner David Fels says he was phoned at about 11.50pm on Monday by his security monitoring company to alert him to an “activation” at the store.
“I got dressed, came and had a look,” he says.
“There was a car on the pavement facing the doorway.
“Obviously they’d driven it through the door and actually into the shop.
“I think most of the car was inside at one point.”
Fels says the thieves reversed the vehicle out and manoeuvred the store’s grill so they could enter the business.
“They then came inside, smashed a few more cabinets and helped themselves to the stock.
“I don’t know how long it took but when they were finished they left the car where it was with the engine running.
“Apparently there were two other cars involved.
“They took whatever they’d taken, got in the cars and drove off.”
Fels says police were at the business when he arrived late on Monday night and officers returned the following morning to conduct a forensic examination.
He believes the cost to repair the damage will be greater than the value of the stolen items.
“I’ve got a business, which I’ve been running for 30-odd years.
“I’m working hard. It’s not easy to run a business and the jewellery business is definitely on the harder end of things.
“We’re just trying to make a living.”
Fels was having the damage repaired on Tuesday morning and was hopeful the store would be able to reopen to customers later that day.
“We’re in clean-up mode. There was glass everywhere.
“I’ve had break-ins before, but not for quite a long time and never a ram raid.”
As the Times previously reported, thieves also broke into three Howick businesses overnight on March 7-8.
Those targeted were Paper Plus on Picton Street, and Honeybun Jewellers and a vape store on Moore Street.
Howick Village Association (HVA) manager Jane Newbury said at the time there had been a rise in thefts and break-ins around the area in the previous two to three months.
A police spokesperson says an investigation is under way into the ram raid at David Fels Jeweller.
“The incident was reported to have taken place around 11.45pm.
“A stolen vehicle was used in the incident before multiple offenders have entered the store and stolen items.
“The offenders have then fled the scene in a second vehicle.
“Enquiries are underway into this incident which will include examining the stolen vehicle located at the scene.
“Anyone with information about this matter is asked to contact police on 105, quoting file number 220405/7496, or you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
