Source: Radio New Zealand
Damage to Orewa’s Shoreward Gastrobar in September. Supplied
Four businesses have been ram-raided or fire-damaged in a small seaside village north of Auckland in the past three months, but police say so far no arrests have been made.
Officers launched Operation Governor after a deliberately lit fire at Orewa’s Sunflour Cafe left the interior of the building destroyed.
Several fire crews responded to the blaze at Sunflour shortly before 11.30pm on 1 November.
It was the latest in a series of businesses targeted on the main strip of the coastal town of Orewa, going back to September.
The first was between 21 September and 22 at takeaway business Bossburger. Images posted to social media showed the front of the store smashed in.
It was followed by a burglary and arson reported at the Shoreward Gastrobar in the early hours of 30 September.
It was understood the offenders drove a vehicle into the bar, before setting fire to the premises and fleeing on foot, police said.
Members of the public extinguished the fire before officers arrived at the scene.
“In both incidents, we are not aware of any items being stolen from these businesses,” police said.
Damage to Orewa’s Bossburger in September. Supplied
Police told RNZ the Operation Governor investigation continued, and could not comment further.
Both businesses, and the local business association Destination Orewa, also declined to comment.
Waitematā North area commander Inspector John Thornley said previously attacks on local businesses would not be tolerated.
“These arsons are not only damaging property, but it’s affecting peoples’ livelihoods, and police is open-minded about whether any of these incidents are linked,” he said.
Damage done to the Sunflour cafe in Orewa. Sunflour / supplied
Thornley said they would be engaging with the public over the coming days, and they could expect a larger police presence in the area.
“We want to hear about any suspicious activity that people might have seen on Saturday night.
“I’m asking anyone with dashcam footage around the Ōrewa township, between 10pm and midnight, on Saturday 1 November to make themselves known to the investigation team.”
“No piece of information is too small, so please come forward as soon as possible.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
