The owner of a Masterton jewellery store has been left feeling “angry and frustrated” following a burglary in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Vania Ireland, who owns Showcase Jewellery Store at 176 Queen St, was alerted of the break-in via her store’s CCTV system at 1.06am.
“I saw on the video someone running around smashing cabinets up,” she said.
“They were targeting certain things as they went straight for the gold cabinet; they knew what they were doing.
“The whole front has been smashed to pieces, and the metal grates have been kicked in; they broke a big window on the front part.”
Neither Ireland nor police have yet been able to confirm exactly what was taken or its monetary value.
Wairarapa Police area prevention manager Gill Flower told the Times-Age that police believe two males were involved in the burglary.
“It’s hard to identify them because they were wearing all black with hoodies covering their faces,” she said.
“They left in a vehicle we can now identify as having been stolen and since recovered.
“While we haven’t found the criminals, we are working with strong lines of enquires.”
Yesterday, a police forensics team was at the store gathering evidence to assist in the investigation.
Ireland said that a metal tyre iron was left behind by the burglars.
It’s understood the store had an alarm system that activated when the criminals entered.
Ireland spent yesterday cleaning up the store in an attempt to get it open so she can continue trading as soon as possible.
“I’m really angry because this is my livelihood, and I’ve got four staff to pay,” she said.
“Also, it’s been the toughest year in eight years for business.
“It is going to be an expensive glass bill as well, in addition to the new grates.
“I am happy that no one was in there at the time of the burglary.”
Ireland noted this is the second break-in she’s suffered, the store having also been targeted by burglars in late 2019.
