Carterton’s North End Superstore owner Mrudang Patel. PHOTOS/ALEYNA MARTINEZ
ALEYNA MARTINEZ
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Wairarapa Police are investigating mysterious damage to a Carterton store.
Between the time the Wairarapa Times-Age newspapers were delivered to the North End Superstore at 11.45pm on Thursday night and when the bread was dropped off around midnight, a perfectly round and tiny hole was made in the shop front window.
Police and the store owner are unsure how it happened.
Detective Sergeant Barry Bysouth from Wairarapa Police said attending officers “examined the scene and they can’t substantiate whether the hole to the window is from a pellet or other item that’s been discharged”.
Store owner Mrudang Patel said he found a small chip on the floor inside the store but other than that, nothing had been found.
A glazier from Carterton Glass who came to fix the window thought a projectile from an air gun was the likely culprit.
There is a house at the back of the shop where other people live.
Patel said he was concerned for them and what could have happened.
“If there’s someone with a gun around here then that’s the worry,” he said.
Patel moved to Carterton with his wife and two pre-school age children in April last year.
He had never been robbed before, but Friday’s incident left him shaken.
He said Carterton had treated him well and he still felt safe and happy with his decision to relocate his family to Wairarapa.
