Youths still at large after Dunedin ram-raids

Youths who allegedly ram-raided a Dunedin store and shopping centre early today remain at large, police say.

Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond, of Dunedin, said police were alerted about 3.40am to a stolen vehicle being used to ram-raid the Golden Centre Mall in George St.

A later ram-raid at a South Dunedin vape store was believed to be linked.

Earlier, a yellow Mazda Atenza was stolen from the Brockville area, Snr Sgt Bond said.

It was later seen on CCTV smashing through the doors of the Golden Centre Mall.

The driver of the vehicle drove around the mall’s concourse and attempted to ram into the Michael Hill store in Meridian Mall; however, they were unsuccessful and drove back out of the Golden Centre Mall empty-handed.

The interior and exterior of the mall were damaged in the incident, Snr Sgt Bond said.

The vehicle was then dumped and a second vehicle was allegedly stolen.

About 4am, the second ram-raid happened at the Vaporium vape store in King Edward St, South Dunedin.

Multiple shelves of vapes were taken and the thieves drove off.

The raids were believed to be linked and youths were suspected to be the culprits, Snr Sgt Bond said.

‘‘Inquiries are ongoing to determine who's responsible — forensics are there now reviewing the CCTV footage that is available in the central city and South Dunedin areas.

‘‘If anyone was out and about between 3 and 4am, or that timeframe in the central city or South Dunedin and saw anyone acting suspiciously, we would love to hear from them,’’ Snr Sgt Bond said.

Golden Centre manager Nina Rivett said the ram-raid there was a disgusting act.

‘‘I think it's actually horrifying from the point of view that there are lots of people that make their livelihoods here.

‘‘There are lots of people that feel that it's a violation.

‘‘We are a safe city, we're a safe environment and isolated incidents like this are just totally unacceptable.’’

Nothing had been stolen, and this was the first time something of this nature had happened at the mall, she said.

Everyone had ‘‘rallied’’ to get the mall back open as quickly as possible.

‘‘I haven’t really had the chance to speak to [retailers] yet, but they’re a really resilient crowd.’’

Earlier this month, thieves broke into the Meridian Mall and targeted Michael Hill Jeweller and Sunglass Hut.