Photo of offender outside Noel Leeming store on Langdons Road / photo: Supplied
At least two Christchurch retailers have been targeted in yet more overnight smash-and-grabs.
In the first incident, youths smashed the front door and windows of Noel Leeming on Langdons Road.
An early morning worker witnessed the attack.
“I was pulling into the Northlink car park, arriving for work at 4.30 AM, when I saw a car parked in front of Noel Lemmings.”
Three individuals emerged and rushed towards the front of the store, each clutching what appeared to be pillowcases.
The eyewitness immediately began taking photographs, but the perpetrators hastily jumped into their vehicle and sped away from the scene, nearly colliding with a security car as they departed.
The eyewitness said a co-worker at the Z station on Harewood Road saw a car speeding past, pursued by two police vehicles.
WATCH as youth offenders escape from scene in car
A police spokeswoman confirmed, “group of people smashed the front door of commercial premises and police were making inquiries to determine if anything was taken.”
Five youths were arrested for dishonesty offending and more charges were pending.
In another attack, police were called at 4.45 AM to Liquorland in the Bishopdale Village Mall after youths smashed their way inside the store.
The store manager told Chris Lynch Media the offenders were wearing hoodies, masks and gloves, and one of them appeared “very small.”
CCTV footage shows them smashing their way into the store with an axe.
The manager said “windows were damaged, along with security gates placed inside the windows.
The youths stole bottles of liquor and left some outside the store.
She said police arrived shortly after she arrived at the store and forensics returned later this morning.
The police spokeswoman said it was still unclear if both incidents were related.
