Stolen vehicle crashed into lake after Remarkables Park liquor store burglary

Police are appealing for information following a burglary which ended in a stolen vehicle plunging into Lake Whakatipu.

Queenstown Acting Response Manager Tracy Haggart said police were called to a burglary at a commercial premises in Remarkables Park around 2.15am.

Haggart said a stolen vehicle was used to unlawfully enter a premises at Tex Smith Lane and Hawthorne Drive and around $900 of alcohol was taken. Super Liquor is based at that address.

"The offenders have fled the area, travelling to Kelvin Height Peninsula, where the vehicle was located abandoned and submerged in Lake Whakatipu at around 2.30am."

Police are working with Coastguard Queenstown and Queenstown Lakes District Council to retrieve the vehicle.

Glen Christiansen, group CEO for The Gate which owns the liquor store, said the burglary was "a nuisance". \

He said an alarm was activated overnight and staff went around to discover the burglary. He said it appeared the alleged offenders had tried to smash the glass unsuccessfully with something, before using the vehicle to smash through.

The liquor store was back in operation while they waited for the doors to be fixed today, he said.

Enquiries into the incident are ongoing, and Police are appealing for information from the public to help the investigation.

Police want to hear from anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage between 2am and 2.40am on Monday 10 November around the Remarkables Park and Kelvin Heights areas.

"Members of the public may see an increase in reassurance patrols in and around commercial business areas while our enquiries are ongoing," Haggart said.

Anyone with information can contact police by calling 105, visiting 105.police.govt.nz or anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 0800 555 111.

Please use the reference number P064408540.