An east Auckland wholefoods store has been targeted by offenders for the second time in two months.
Bin Inn was one of five businesses at a block of shops in Moore Street broken into in late August.
It along with Pizza Club, Fruit World, Awesome Shop and Yume Sushi were all damaged in the incident.
Bin Inn has now been targeted again, this time in a ram-raid, at about 4.30am on October 30.
The culprits used a vehicle to smash their way into the premises.
Security camera footage shows two people, one of whom is wearing a high-visibility vest, enter the store on foot.
One of them goes behind the counter and appears to briefly search for something before they both run out of the store.
Timber boards filled the gaps created in the ram-raid when the Times visited on Monday morning.
Bin Inn store owner Chanchal Deol says he was sleeping when alerted to the break-in on Sunday as he’d planned to take the day off.
He suspects his business may have been broken into again as it’s seen as an “easy target”.
“After the last ram-raid we changed our glass to heavy glass so they can’t break it,” Deol says.
“But they used their car to smash it. They were after some cash.
“It’s not about money, it’s the frustration.
“The last time it happened we got an email [from police] saying they can’t identify the culprits, even though we gave them video and they took fingerprints.”
Deol is considering placing a sign in the store’s window saying no cash is kept on the premises in an effort to deter thieves.
The previous break-ins at the block of stores in Moore Street were carried out just after 3am on August 23.
During that incident police responded to reports of a group of offenders breaking into several retail addresses.
It’s believed the group arrived at the scene and later fled in a dark SUV vehicle.
Large panes of glass were broken at the entries of Pizza Club, Yume Sushi and Bin Inn.
The five people who broke into Bin Inn during that previous incident were filmed by its security cameras.
One member of the group appeared to be filming the others with a mobile phone.
The store’s till was open and empty and nothing was stolen during the 30 seconds the offenders were inside the store.
The previous break-ins drew strong condemnation from local community leaders including Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown and Howick ward councillor Sharon Stewart.
Brown said he hoped the perpetrators would be quickly brought to justice while Stewart said the Government needed to “come down hard” to stop such offending.
A police spokesperson says enquiries are ongoing following the commercial burglary at Bin Inn in the early hours of Sunday morning.
“Shortly after 4.30am a vehicle was used to gain entry to a store in Moore Street.
“Two offenders have entered the store but have left empty handed.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 105.
“Information can also be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
