Ramraiders return to Gun City four times before leaving with stolen weapons

Ramraiders reversed a hatchback at high speed four times into Gun City before rushing in and taking three minutes to load a getaway car.

CCTV footage from the neighboring business, E-Mega Store, shows a car pulling up on the left side of the building as a hatchback drives straight ahead to reverse through Gun City’s entrance.

A figure can be seen lingering outside the store as the car backs out of sight, the headlights flashing. The vehicle reverses out of sight three more times before the figure runs towards the entrance.

Gun City owner David Tipple said the thieves stole a machete and an air rifle in less than two minutes of archery shooting.

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“We are still compiling the list of stolen items based on the excellent video footage and inventories.”

“Our security has been preventing burglaries for 40 years. Ram raiders must be caught and punished in such a way that this crime is no longer attractive.”

The store already installed extra security within 12 hours after the robbery.

Tipple said the three perpetrators filmed during the raid ended the video with “victorious waves and gestures”.

The footage shows the car arriving at the store in Cranford St, Christchurch at 2:27am, and the perpetrators entered and exited the building several times over the next three minutes.

One walks out, closely followed by two running people, before taking off in the getaway car.

Police were alerted at about 2:30 a.m. Friday at the Redwood store in Cranford St.

A police spokesman said four offenders used a stolen green Mazda Demio to break through the roll-up door before taking “various items”.

Air rifles, ammunition and other weapons are believed to be among the stolen items, but police said they were working to confirm the exact items stolen.

“We understand the concern about events involving firearms,” ​​said Detective Senior Sergeant Wells.

“Police are taking this seriously and are following a number of leads to identify these perpetrators and locate the items they stole.

“After leaving the store we know the offenders traveled south on Cranford St in a stolen black Subaru Forester.

We hope someone has seen them and has information to help with the investigation.

“We would ask motorists who were in the area at the time to view their dashcam footage, and for anyone who saw any of these vehicles to contact us.”

Anyone who has seen the Mazda Demio, registration DDF311 or the Subaru Forester, registration LCY783 around this time is asked to call 911 and refer to case number 221202/5373. Information can also be provided anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

The police suspect that some of the perpetrators were teenagers.

Gun City is one of the largest gun shops in New Zealand and is part of a chain owned by David Tipple and family. Christchurch has two stores, one in Redwood and one in Sockburn.

A Stuff A reporter on the scene said work was underway Friday morning to restore the damaged storefront. Just before 8 a.m., about three people with movable scaffolding were working in the store.

Police said they were investigating another burglary in Christchurch overnight, but they weren’t yet sure if the two were related.

At around 5:20 a.m., the Palms Shopping Center was broken into by three men who used hammers to gain entry.

They left in a small black car, possibly a Suzuki Swift, the spokesman said.

CCTV was reviewed in both incidents and police followed “lines of investigation”.

In a statement, The Palms Shopping Center confirmed a burglary at 5:20 am. Stuff understands that Stirling Sports has been broken into.

“Police and security were notified of the incident and immediately attended the scene, and the center is working closely with police and affected shopkeepers,” the statement said.

The Palms said the safety of customers, retailers, staff and visitors was their “first priority”.

These incidents come as Christchurch owners say ‘menacing’ and ‘cruel’ crimes are too frightening for some locals to go out on the town.

Members of the business community have sent an open letter, signed by 80 entrepreneurs, to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and ministers. It says the number and severity of violent and opportunistic crimes in the region have skyrocketed.

Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger supported the letter.