Katikati Tech Store Owner Faces $74,000 Loss After Overnight Burglary

Katikati technology repair shop iFixed Ltd lost approximately $74,000 worth of stock when three offenders broke into its premises on the top floor of the Cherry Court complex overnight on 8 November. Owner Chamara Punchihewage — known around town as Chama — said the thieves stripped laptops and mobile phones that were on display for sale, completing the whole job in around 15 minutes. Crucially, none of his customers' devices were taken, as those were secured in a safe.

Chama was uninsured for stock at the time because he was in the process of switching providers while simultaneously opening a new store in Waihi, leaving a gap in his coverage. The incident has left the Sri Lankan–born businessman — who has called Aotearoa home for 16 years, more than eight of those in Katikati — questioning whether New Zealand is a safe place to raise his young family, particularly after a separate home invasion at his Katikati house two months earlier. "When people are breaking in while you're sleeping it is very scary to live like that," he said.

Katikati Police executed search warrants at three local addresses the following week and recovered some of the stolen property. A 36-year-old Katikati woman and a 32-year-old man have since been charged with burglary, with enquiries continuing to identify the remaining offenders. Meanwhile, a customer and friend of Chama's, Wayne Paul, launched a Givealittle page called '(Kiwis) We are one!' with a goal of raising $1,200 to help the family get back on their feet. Donations can be made at givealittle.co.nz/cause/kiwis-we-are-one.

Originally published in Katikati News (Sun Media).