Ramraiders Strike Two Petrol Stations in Wairarapa

In the early hours of March 14, 2024, two petrol stations in Wairarapa were ramraided, resulting in significant damage but no reported theft. The first incident occurred at approximately 2:10 a.m. at a location on High Street in Carterton, followed by another at around 2:30 a.m. on Chapel Street in Masterton. According to local authorities, both incidents are being treated as opportunistic crimes.

Blaine Smith, the fire chief of Carterton and owner of one of the affected stations, reported that the entranceways sustained considerable damage. “I don’t know what they were going for,” he stated, noting that nothing was taken during the incidents. Smith confirmed that the police have been notified and are actively investigating the matter.

A police spokesperson indicated that they responded promptly to reports of burglaries at the two petrol stations. Upon arrival, officers discovered a vehicle of interest linked to the incidents, although no suspects were present at the time. Investigations are ongoing to locate those responsible for the ramraids.

The damage to the petrol stations included significant harm to the aluminium frameworks at their entrances. Smith mentioned that the costs would be covered by insurance, alleviating some of the financial burden associated with the repairs.

At the Challenge petrol station on State Highway 2 in Carterton, security measures such as alarms and fog cannons were triggered during the incident. A nearby resident recounted hearing a “heaps of commotion” shortly after 2 a.m. Initially mistaking the noise for a delivery vehicle, he quickly realized it was a more serious situation.

“I thought at first they had unloaded a big bundle of papers off the truck and it had slapped on the concrete and woke me up,” said the resident, who chose to remain anonymous. “But then about 10 seconds into it, a real quiet alarm started going off. It sounded like someone with a hacksaw, or maybe two of them going like the clappers.”

According to the resident, the entire incident lasted less than two minutes before the ramraiders fled the scene, heading north toward Masterton. Despite the chaos, both petrol stations were operational again by 9:00 a.m. that same morning, ensuring minimal disruption to local services.

The police continue to encourage anyone with information related to these incidents to come forward as the investigation progresses. The community remains alert, reflecting on the need for enhanced security measures in response to these brazen acts.