A liquor store has been ram-raided overnight in Wellington.
Thirsty Liquor ram raided in Island Bay, Wellington on 26 July 2022. Photo: Supplied
About 2am, a car smashed the main entrance of the Thirsty Liquor store in Island Bay.
Police said alcohol was taken from the shop and the suspects fled in the same car used to break in.
Store owner Chetan Rattan said he felt helpless after the attack.
The shop front was smashed by a Subaru stationwagon, causing around $25,000 worth of damage.
CCTV footage showed two people in black hoodies ran into the store, stole the alcohol and then left.
Rattan said they took around $5000 worth of alcohol and the shop will now be closed for a week for repairs.
"It's not that sort of a safe job anymore, but someone has to do it."
When asked by RNZ if it made him consider shutting up shop, Rattan said, "Absolutely, I already had a plan, so I'm not too sure how long I'll be here for.
"I feel so bad, I feel helpless actually, I don't expect this one, especially when we're going through a rough time with the Covid pandemic, and this happens on top of that, so, feeling helpless."
Rattan said he understood the car used was stolen in Lyall Bay, and has been found dumped in Newtown.
Residents spoken to by RNZ said they felt sad for Rattan and worried for the safety of their quiet community.
Two weeks ago, a liquor store in Brooklyn was ram-raided.
It comes as police data revealed there had been a 400 percent increase in ram raids in five years - and 76 percent of those being caught are under the age of 18.
Island Bay Thirsty Liquor store owner Chettan Rattan. Photo: RNZ / Lauren Crimp