10 O'Clock Dairy owner Sean Lee says the government should pay for all stores to have smoke cannon security systems. Photo: ODT / Peter McIntosh
A knife-wielding man got the fright of his life when he entered the St Kilda dairy about 12.50pm, discovering it had been fitted with a new fog cannon.
The security system at the 10 O'Clock Dairy, in Prince Albert Rd, creates white-out conditions in the shop by filling it with harmless smoke in about three seconds.
Dairy owner Sean Lee was delighted at how well the anti-theft smoke system worked.
When the would-be thief entered the store, the shop assistant noticed he was carrying a knife, so she pushed a button to release the smoke. The thief fled the shop.
Police said no-one was injured, but there was an unintended consequence of setting off the security system.
A man holding a weapon at the 10 O'Clock Dairy in St Kilda before a smoke cannon was set off. Photo: Supplied to Otago Daily Times
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said two appliances from St Kilda and Lookout Point were sent to the shop soon after, following reports of a fire at the
dairy.
Upon arrival, it was revealed there was no fire and the smoke was caused by the anti-theft cloaking system, he said.
The first fog cannons were installed throughout the country in late 2017.
Last year Police Minister Stuart Nash said aggravated robberies at businesses had decreased by about 40 percent since then.
Fire crews and police were called to the dairy. Photo: ODT / Peter McIntosh
While Lee was pleased the system had defused the situation without anyone getting hurt, he was becoming increasingly concerned about the brazen nature of thieves.
He said most thieves struck after dark, but this one had entered the shop in broad daylight while there were lots of people and traffic around.
He was also angry because he believed most thieves were targeting cigarettes.
He said the price continued to rise and smokers were becoming so desperate, they were willing to steal to have them.
"They are like gold."
Lee said his store was one of only three in Dunedin with smoke cannons, and he believed the government should use the taxes from cigarettes to cover smoke cannons for all stores.
Police are continuing to investigate the robbery attempt.
*This article was first published on the [ https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/smoke-cannon-foils-robbery-0 Otago Daily Times].