A youth has been arrested in connection with a smash-and-grab incident at Dunedin's Meridian Mall, as police continue to probe a series of ram raids in the city, Stuff has reported.
The break-in occurred on December 4 at around 3:30 a.m. when three thieves drove a stolen vehicle through the Hanover Street entrance of the Meridian Mall. They targeted a Sunglasses Hut kiosk and a Michael Hill store, stealing jewellery and sunglasses.
Detective Senior Sergeant Nik Leigh of Dunedin CIB confirmed the arrest, noting that police are pursuing leads in other recent incidents, including a ram raid at the neighbouring Golden Centre Mall.
In the Golden Centre Mall raid, a car was driven through the mall’s locked main entrance early Wednesday morning. The offenders attempted to access the same Michael Hill store in the Meridian Mall but were unsuccessful.
Security footage captured the car breaching the internal entrance to Meridian Mall before reversing out and fleeing through the same entrance. Several shops, including Savoury Japan and Paper Plus, sustained damage in the raid.
Police are investigating sightings of a yellow Mazda Atenza believed to be linked to the Golden Centre Mall incident.
Shortly after the failed raid, the same group is suspected of using another stolen vehicle to smash into a vape store in South Dunedin.
No property was stolen during the Golden Centre Mall incident, but investigations into the string of offences are ongoing.