Michael Hill in Whakatāne was the target of an aggravated burglary on Thursday afternoon. Photo: Supplied/Google Maps
Two men have been arrested after an aggravated burglary at a Michael Hill store in Whakatāne.
It is just the latest in a string of burglaries and robberies targeting the jewellery chain.
On Sunday, a group of five thieves made off with jewellery from Michael Hill in a brazen smash and grab attack at Auckland's NorthWest Shopping Centre.
In January, a young person was arrested after an armed robbery at the Michael Hill store in Silverdale Mall on the Hibiscus Coast.
Just a day before the Silverdale incident, Bayfair Shopping Centre in Tauranga had been evacuated after a robbery at the Michael Hill store there. Police said a fog cannon went off and the offenders fled the scene.
Detective senior sergeant Ash Clements said two men, aged 20 and 21, were due to appear in Whakatāne District Court on Friday, charged with aggravated burglary over the latest incident.
Further charges were being considered.
"We understand the effects this has had on the victims who were in the store at the time."
A vehicle involved in the burglary had been found and was being forensically examined, Clements said.
Police wanted to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident, or anyone with video from the area, he said.
It was believed more people had been involved.
The Whakatāne store was also ram-raided in 2021. Thieves smashed the front window with a white ute and made off with thousands of dollars' worth of merchandise.
