A Hastings jewellery store owner says he is grateful nothing was taken after his storefront was "brutally damaged" in an alleged early morning ram-raid.
Police were called to Richard James Jeweller on Heretaunga St East after multiple security alarms were triggered at the store around 4am on June 29.
Detective Nicholas Moorhouse said officers responded but no one was found on the premises. However, it was quickly established that a vehicle had been used to force the front door open and to smash the display windows on either side.
Store owner Richard Funnell, 54, told 1News an offender managed to get into the store and immediately began throwing cabinets and stands on the ground while searching for items of value.
"He pushed [the cabinet] over onto the floor, which generally holds about 9 to 10 high value items, and then he went up to the counter where we had a piece there for about $22,000 as well, and he removed the glass on that to find out that the box was empty, and realised this wasn't working in his favour," he explained.
He said his robust security system including a mesh gate, door switch sensors and monitored camera alarms "did exactly what it was supposed to do".
"We're just grateful that nothing was taken, and the place wasn't as badly damaged as we'd expected it to be.
"We've just got a shop front that got brutally damaged, and we're just glad that our security stood up for the test."
Funnell said he had spent 23 years in the industry, and this was the first time had store had been hit.
"Look it's been very distressing for us as staff and owners, because we put our heart and soul into this place. My staff are long-term serving and they were upset yesterday," he said.
Funnell said the store was now "all boarded up, and the front's taken out ready for getting a new one fitted" – but he wanted to ensure customers knew they were still open for business.
"I reckon [repairs] could be a couple of weeks, but the huge positive thing for us was that nothing was taken."
He estimated the total cost of the damage at between $15,000 and $25,000.
Detective Nicholas Moorhouse said inquiries were ongoing to identify those involved, and police were looking for a stolen grey/silver coloured Mazda CX-5.
Anyone with information about the vehicle or the incident was urged to contact 105 – either online or over the phone – and reference file number 260629/7431.
Information could also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
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