By James Wells

HASTINGS, NEW ZEALAND: A Retravision store was the victim of a smash and grab robbery on Saturday evening when over $45,000 worth of high value products from well-known brands such as Sony, Panasonic, Canon and Sharp were stolen.

According to a report from a Hawkes Bay newspaper, the Hastings-based Duckworths Retravision store in New Zealand was broken into by two thieves around 4.50am when an alarm was activated altering police to the crime at the store.

According to the report, the thieves stole Apple iPods mp3 players, Sony PlayStation video games consoles as well as other equipment including digital cameras from brands including Panasonic, Nikon, Fuji, Canon and Sharp.

Over 26 mobile phones branded Nokia, Motorola, Sony Ericsson, Siemens and Sagem which were stolen will be shut down by the network and be useless to the thieves.

According to the report, Duckworths Retravision store owner, John Bush was upset by the latest break-in at the store, which represented the one of largest crimes in the local area this year.

“Small high-value and hi-tech products were taken. They obviously new what they were looking for, and went straight in and took them," Bush told Hawke’s Bay Today.

"We were here within minutes, but it was too late," he said.

"It’s just a matter of getting back to business as usual and being prepared for the Christmas rush. But I’m sure everyone will be a lot more wary of what’s going on around the place.”