Apple retailers hit by ram raid

Bondi Junction-based Apple retail outlet Academy Store has been ram-railed for $200,000 of stock.

The store was hit in the early hours of 25 January, by a gang of thieves who looted the store for various goods. Academy Store was uninsured for the loss of stock.

Ben Morgan, managing director of Academy Store told CRN: “On the 25th January we were broken into when five gentlemen drove through the front of the store and looted TVs, laptops and iPods worth $200,000.”

Morgan said the store has had new security features built-in since the raid, such as bullet proof glass and bollards placed outside the store.

“These people break-in thinking we are insured, but in this case we are not. We are going to have to work hard over the next two years to rebuild,” added Morgan.

A statement issued by NSW police about the incident, said: “A number of MP3 players, monitors, laptops and video cameras have been loaded into a vehicle which has driven off and was last seen in Spring Street at Bondi Junction.

“Witnesses have told police a silver wagon, possibly a Subaru Liberty, was seen driving from the area. This car was later recovered at Lilyfield and will be forensically examined.”

Also hit was Next Byte's Balmain store on Darling Road on the 24 January. However, Tim Kleeman, joint managing director of Next Byte was reluctant to provide further details.

A police statement concerning the Next Byte raid, said: "About 4am on Wednesday 24 January police were called to a computer store in Darling Street at Balmain. Officers believe a vehicle has been driven through the front of the shop.

"A number of computers and electrical equipment was loaded into the vehicle which has driven off and was last seen heading east along Darling Street. Witnesses have told police a blue Subaru was seen driving from the area."