Qtown jewellery store burgled
A Queenstown jewellery store has been burgled with offenders taking a number of expensive men’s watches.
Jamies Jewellers, a small family-owned business in the Five Mile shopping complex on Grant Rd, was broken into at around midnight Saturday. The window was smashed.
Co-owner Clyde Vellacott said between 12 and 15 watches ranging in value from $100 to $1800 were stolen, along with a laptop. The total value of goods taken was about $14,800, Vellacott said.
‘‘We’re not trading today, so that’s a big loss. As a small family business, $15,000 is a lot of money for us.’’
The business was insured. Jamies Jewellers is the oldest jewellery business in New Zealand to still be owned by the same family. It was founded 153 years ago in Balclutha and has been based in Alexandra for the past 100 years. Vellacott’s wife, Rachel, was the fifth generation of the family to run the business.
The company’s Queenstown store opened in December.
Vellacott has asked people to be mindful if they were offered cheap Seiko, Citizen or Baby-G watches.
Detective
Sergeant
Derek Shaw said police were following strong lines of inquiry with regard to identifying the offender.
‘‘We believe the offender may have travelled to the Southland area following the burglary, potentially travelling in a red Toyota vehicle, registration LQL818.’’
Police attempted to stop this vehicle in the Dipton area in the early hours of the morning. However, the driver failed to stop and was briefly pursued by police, before the pursuit was abandoned due to the manner of driving and speed of the vehicle, Shaw said.
Anyone with Information can call police on 03 441 1600, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.