Fun gun thieves face serious trouble

By DENISE PIPER - Whangarei Leader | Tuesday, 11 March 2008



Thieves who stole paintball guns and equipment from a fun park may have thought they were stealing toys but could face serious firearms charges.

AE Funpark in Maungakaramea was raided about Thursday, February 28, say owners Chris and Shelley Angus.

Equipment worth more than $10,000 was stolen from a secure shed, including 10 paintball guns, carbon dioxide cylinders, four masks, paint pallets and a refill bottle with home-made fill adapter.

However, Chris and Shell are elated some of the irreplaceable gear has now been recovered and one person has been arrested.

A 17-year-old man appeared in court yesterday charged with burglary, after the couple did some detective work, including using security footage from local businesses and passed the information to police.

Police say the alleged offender could face firearms charges, as paintball guns are considered to be air rifles under the Arms Act.

Two more people are being interviewed, say police.

Chris and Shell are grateful for the help from local businesses to recover the equipment.

Shell says the paintball guns are very dangerous, especially if used without masks.

"If you get hit in the eye with a paintball you’ll loose an eye," she says.

"People see them as toys but in here it’s controlled. Idiots running around shooting the public is a recipe for disaster."

A hotel and private fence were targeted by paintballs after the theft but the paint is water soluble and washed off.

Shell says anyone who has been shot at should contact the police straight away.

Chris says the paintball gear is unique in New Zealand, as it was imported then modified.

Chris and Shell started the fun park on their 24ha farm about 12 months ago, after looking for a business that could be run from home while looking after their two children, aged four, and 20 months.

About 60 to 80 people a week now use the paintball range, and the Mid Western Paintball Club runs regular days on the site.

AE Funpark has broadened to go-karting and clay target shooting but these were not affected by the burglary.

Shell believes the culprits had come to the range before.

"It wasn’t an opportunist theft. They came here to steal paintball guns," she says.

Unfortunately, two neighbours were away at the time of the burglary and the fun park is now looking at increasing security.