Owner of Pedlista Harry Van der Zanden and his girlfriend Airi Sait. Photo: Supplied
A fledgling Hawke's Bay business is tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket after six burglaries in two months.
Harry Van der Zanden, the owner of Pedlista, a mobile coffee car and bike repair service, told Checkpoint it was a tough reality.
"It's defiantly keeping the business pretty small."
About $20,000 - $30,000 worth of tools and bikes had been stolen from the business' garage in Marewa, Napier, and of the 11 bikes stolen, Van der Zanden said only one had been returned.
He said he dreaded going into work over the fear of being broken into again.
"We rely on CCTV and everything has been reported, but everyone who has been reported has be caught through a grassroots and through community groups I have been involved in.
"They are gonna know bikes and they are gonna know some of my stuff by seeing me use it."
He said there was limited police follow up despite reporting the break-ins, especially when the item stolen was worth under $500.
"We even ID people who are the culprits but they often receive no consequences."
Van der Zanden said instant fines were a "really good step forward", but only if they were enforced "otherwise it's just a paper punishment really".
He said he would continue with his business but find a better location.
Hawke's bay police said they were aware of burglaries in the retail premise of Marewa shopping area where Van der Zanden's garage was located.
Police said they had received three reports of burglaries from his address and had been investigating.
So far one of the stolen bikes had been recovered and police had identified one person of interest.
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