A Christchurch liquor store owner said three break-ins had left him watching security cameras at night, worried his business would be targeted again.

Mejar, who opened Bottle O Christchurch Airport on Memorial Avenue about two years ago, estimated about $25,000 in stock and cash had been stolen across burglaries on July 25, August 1 and September 13.

The impact had reached beyond the shop, with his four-year-old daughter becoming frightened after seeing a short section of footage.

“It’s heartbreaking,” he said.

Mejar said he had been checking the store’s cameras at night each weekend, worried another break-in could happen. Watching footage of the burglaries had also been stressful.

After his daughter saw some of the footage while he was talking with his wife, they stopped discussing the incidents in front of her.

Christchurch Metro Commander Superintendent Lane Todd said police continued to make enquiries into the reported burglaries.

“At this stage, the offenders have not been identified.”

The first break-in happened about 3.30am on July 25. Mejar said four people used a grinder to cut a lock before taking about $9,000 worth of cigarettes and a bottle of brandy.

 

A week later, about 4.40am on August 1, intruders smashed a glass door and stole the remaining cigarettes and a large quantity of whisky.

Mejar estimated about $10,000 worth of stock was taken, along with a further $1,000 in cash.

The store was targeted again about 4.50am on Sunday, September 13, when whisky, tequila and prosecco worth an estimated $5,000 were stolen.

Mejar said the figures were estimates because it was difficult to account for everything taken.

Photographs supplied to chrislynchmedia.com show a shattered glass entrance door, glass scattered across the shop floor and bottles lying among the debris.

Mejar said the losses were covered by insurance, with some repair quotes and invoices, including for the flooring, still outstanding.

He said police attended after all three break-ins, and CCTV footage was available from each incident. However, he remained concerned about the progress of the investigations.

In an August 17 email supplied to chrislynchmedia.com, Christchurch Airport Police Senior Constable Chris Caldwell told Mejar police had been unable to identify those responsible for the second burglary.

A stolen car used in that burglary was recovered the following day. Fingerprints recovered from the vehicle did not match any known offenders, but had been added to an unsolved crime fingerprint database for potential future identification.

Caldwell said the clothing worn by those seen in the footage meant there had been no prospect of obtaining fingerprints at the store.

“Although your case will be closed now, future evidence or admissions may still lead to a prosecution.”

Todd said filing a case did not mean police could not revisit it.

“Sometimes, cases are filed when there are no further lines of enquiries or leads. This does not mean the case is permanently closed and Police will take another look if new information comes to light.”

Caldwell’s email also outlined efforts to prevent further burglaries, describing the store’s address as a high priority for airport police.

He said officers were parking near the store during night shifts to deter offending or catch another attempt in progress. Police had also provided security recommendations.

Property manager Rachel McElwee also noted the increased overnight police presence in an August 14 email to Mejar.

That email relayed an understanding from the Integrated Operations Centre that someone involved in a recent break-in had been apprehended, without specifying which incident. However, Todd’s latest response said the offenders in the reported burglaries had not been identified.

Despite the additional police presence, the store was targeted again on September 13.

 

Todd encouraged retailers to explore support available through the police Retail Crime Prevention Hub.

“Police understand retailers can be targets for criminal offending. We encourage them to explore their options through our programme with local partners.”

Mejar approached chrislynchmedia.com hoping public attention would help bring those responsible to account.