Police said they were investigating whether the incidents were linked. Photo: 123RF
Police in Waikato are investigating a series of burglaries of commercial premises that occurred overnight.
Officers responded to calls at a cafe in Thames and several incidents in Hamilton, with the police Eagle helicopter providing additional support to staff on the ground.
Police said they were notified of a ram raid at Westfield Mall in the Hamilton suburb of Chartwell shortly after 1.20am, where a stolen Subaru was allegedly used to breach the doors at the mall.
At 3.55am, a Nissan Tiida was used to smash the front door of a petrol station on Naylor Street in Hamilton and on arriving police discovered two cafes on Cambridge Road had also been broken into.
Police said they had also received reports of a burglary at a premises on Devine Road, Tamahere.
Meanwhile, in Thames, a café was burgled at about 2am and a car was stolen from the location.
Shortly after that, the same vehicle was allegedly involved in a third burglary at a Pollen Street premises where a golf club was used to smash a window.
Acting Waikato District Commander Andrea McBeth said police were investigating whether the events were linked and were following some good lines of enquiry.
"We understand the public frustration in regards to the ongoing commercial burglaries and are utilising all available resources, including the Police Eagle helicopter last night," she said in a statement.
Anyone with information about any of the incidents or the people should call 105 or could share information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.