Monday, Dec 15, 2014
Since Sept 27, 1879
Retail $1.50 Home delivered from 95c
THE INDEPENDENT VOICE OF MID CANTERBURY
www.guardianonline.co.nz
Dancing fundraiser
P5
Songs for Santa Thousands filled the Ashburton Domain oval last night for the annual Mitre 10 Mega Christmas in the Park.
Young guns in hot form P18
MORE
Thieves hit hard BY DAISY HUDSON
DAISY.H@THEGUARDIAN.CO.NZ
Ashburton police are investigating after a string of burglaries which devastated local business owners at the weekend. Three Ashburton businesses are missing thousands of dollars worth of merchandise after they were targeted by thieves. Lizzie’s Dairy in Tinwald and Goods 2 U were broken into on Friday night, just one day after about $3000 worth of merchandise was stolen from ATS. Police could not confirm yesterday whether the break-ins were linked. For Lizzie’s Dairy owner Leeann Bell, the break-in was especially upsetting as it was the second time the store
had been targeted in just six months. The damage was more serious this time though, with thieves smashing the front window of the store with a road sign and making off with food and other goods. Mrs Bell said she and husband Symon had owned the store for six years, and had never had any trouble until six months ago. “It’s a bit of a pain, we’re pretty gutted,” she said. “It’s just another big drama.” She was not sure how much the damage would cost to repair, but she believed it would be more expensive than the previous break-in. “It’s not going to be a cheap one this time,” she said.
Mrs Bell had turned to social media for help, with a security camera image of an alleged offender posted on Facebook. Members of the public had provided Mrs Bell with two names of the alleged offenders, which she had passed to police. The burglaries occurred the day after ATS was robbed, with $3000 worth of Swanndri gear and wet weather gear taken early on Friday. ATS chief executive Neal Shaw believed the two people who robbed the store had previously “cased the shop”. Ashburton police Sergeant Bryan Ennis could not confirm yesterday whether the break-ins were linked, and said investigations were ongoing.
QUALITY WITHOUT COMPROMISE Gift Hampers & Gift Boxes
Buy 700g Christmas Pudding and get
1kg of Anchor Custard or 500ml Anchor Cream for
$ .50
3
01/12/14 to 28/12/14
Now available in-store
9 15.$93 0.00
$
from
Weather: High 22˚ - Overnight 9˚ Page 22
P4
to
Ph 03 307 7900 to subscribe!
CHRISTMAS TARTS (Fruit Mince, Apricot & Brandy, Choc Berry 12 Packs)
$ .99
5
BAK ER IES
Open 7 Days 7.30am - 6.00pm 110 East St, Ashburton • Ph: 03 308 8487 While stocks last.
Puzzles: Page 21
Television: Page 23
Family Notices: Page 22
www.guardianonline.co.nz