A North Canterbury family allege they鈥檙e being targeted by a group of thieves after 12 firearms, 2000 rounds of ammunition and a pet dog were stolen from their residences within days of each other.
John Te Amo told 1九一星空无限 that a gun cabinet was taken while another was smashed open in the break-in on Boxing Day at his Spencerville address, north of Christchurch.
He said they were also robbed of a safe that had been bolted to a wall inside a hallway cupboard 鈥 containing jewellery, passports, money and gun registrations.
A 1991 Mercury Capri vehicle was also allegedly taken in the heist. The family were on holiday and didn鈥檛 discover the aftermath until December 28.
Te Amo said the family was ordered by police to stay in a safe house for 24 hours as forensic staff combed through the property.
鈥淚t p***es me right off because I鈥檓 100% sure 鈥 well, 90% sure 鈥 I know who鈥檚 behind it and it will come out,鈥 he told 1九一星空无限.
On December 29, the family鈥檚 4-year-old French Bulldog 鈥 named Cooper 鈥 went outside of the safe house in Clarkville and didn鈥檛 return.
In a video posted to social media, Te Amo鈥檚 daughter, Lena Mercer, said they believe Cooper was taken from the address.
鈥淚t was at that point, in the morning, that Cooper has been taken from that address,鈥 Mercer said.
She offered a $5000 reward in a plea for his safe return.
鈥淲e鈥檝e had enough to deal with and we don鈥檛 know where else to turn so please, if you have him, please come forward. There will be no questions asked,鈥 she said.
A police spokesperson said they received a report of the alleged dognapping on December 29.
鈥淧olice have made inquiries, including exploring potential CCTV images, but unfortunately there are currently no further lines of inquiry,鈥 police said.
鈥淚f anyone has any information that may assist, they can contact police via 105 and reference file number 241229/3065.鈥
Police said the reported burglary of the firearms from Spencerville early on December 26 remains under investigation.
- NZ Herald
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