Smash-and-Grab Burglar Steals Cakes in Papatoetoe

A bizarre smash-and-grab at The Cheesecake Shop in Auckland’s Papatoetoe saw a burglar break into the store late Tuesday night and make off with five luxurious cakes, Stuff reported.

The manager told Stuff the break-in happened shortly before 11.30pm when the man, wearing gumboots, kicked repeatedly at the store’s toughened glass door. After shattering it, he tried to shield the damage from passing motorists by standing with arms folded in front of the broken glass. He then yanked open the fridge door, grabbed two cakes, left the store — and soon returned for three more.

Security footage obtained by Stuff shows the burglar nervously pacing before hurling a rock at the door for better access. Interestingly, he ignored the till and other equipment, focusing solely on the sweet selection.

“He was obviously excited by what we had in there,” the manager told Stuff, noting the thief targeted the fridge where the shop’s largest 12-inch cakes are stored. The haul included a “Strawberry Fields” cake, two Black Forests, a chocolate chip cookie cake, and a Cookies and Cream birthday cake.

The Cheesecake Shop posted online that while they aim to support the community, “we now realise our cakes are also worth getting a criminal record.” They added humorously, “Come on in to the Cheesecake Shop in Papatoetoe where clearly the cake is PRICELESS.”

Despite the damage, the shop opened just two hours late on Wednesday, and locals dropped in to show support and even apologise on behalf of the neighbourhood, according to Stuff.

Senior Sergeant Steve Albrey told Stuff that police later located a vehicle of interest at Hunters Corner after 1am. A female driver was spoken to, and one of the cakes was recovered. Police and private security responded within 20 minutes of the burglary.

The manager also revealed to Stuff that this was the second such incident this year — in March, a car was driven into the storefront in another attempt to steal cakes. Asked why anyone would go to such lengths, he admitted, “It dumbfounds me that someone would go through that much for a cake … it doesn’t make sense.”