Two people raided a Queenstown liquor store with a stolen car in the early hours of this morning, stealing $900 worth of alcohol before abandoning the vehicle in Lake Whakatipu.
The incident happened at Super Liquor Remarkables Park, on the intersection of Tex Smith Ln and Hawthorne Dr. Police were alerted to the burglary at around 2.15am this morning.
Store general manager Glen Christiansen told 1News the pair attacked the front window with weapons before using the car to break the glass.
“It’s toughened glass, so it’s a bit of a chore,” he said, adding it was the first break-in at one of his stores in 12 years.
“It sounds like police have some good leads, and I’m hopeful they’ll be able to hold these people to account and get them out of Queenstown.”
He described the incident as frustrating and he would be putting on extra security measures to reassure his staff.
“We’re sorry for Queenstown and the retail sector and hope it doesn’t become a thing,” he said.
“Our staff are nervous but still here. I’m going to ring the security company and we’re going to get a couple of extra runs put on overnight.”
Queenstown acting response manager Sergeant Tracey Haggart said a stolen vehicle had been used to gain access to the store where two offenders allegedly took around $900 of alcohol.
“The offenders have fled the area, travelling to Kelvin Heights Peninsula, where the vehicle was located abandoned and submerged in Lake Whakatipu at around 2.30am.”
Police were working with Coastguard Queenstown and Queenstown Lakes District Council to retrieve the vehicle.
Haggart said police would like to hear from anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage between 2am and 2.40am of the Remarkables Park and Kelvin Heights areas.
“Members of the public may see an increase in reassurance patrols in and around commercial business areas while our enquiries are ongoing.”
Anyone with relevant information should contact police on 105.
