Thieves cost hotel $12,000

The owners of the Portobello Hotel have taken a ‘‘massive hit'' after more than $12,000 worth of goods and money were stolen in a night-time raid on the Otago Peninsula pub.

Owner Perry Reid, who bought the hotel in March last year, said it was a ‘‘reflection on society'' and he wanted other hotel owners to be aware they could be targeted.

Senior Constable Lox Kellas of Portobello said at least one other rural hotel had been broken into in Otago this year.

The Portobello Hotel was broken into between 3am and 4am on Saturday.

Thieves smashed a window in the kitchen and climbed in. Once inside, they jemmied open two safes, stole tobacco products worth $3000, unlocked gaming machines and stole revenue of more than $4200 and stole 120 CDs and DVDs, worth about $3600.

Cash was also stolen, including staff tips.

The hotel was open for trade yesterday, but Mr Reid's manager and son Corey Reid said they had been severely inconvenienced, especially as tobacco supplies would have to be restocked with their own money until insurance could be sorted.

Mr Reid sen said he had lived in the area for all his 51 years and, until now, had always felt safe in the small community.

He had increased security by installing ‘‘upmarket'' surveillance equipment inside and outside the hotel.

Last October, the hotel was closed for three days after rats ate through the beer lines under the pub's floor. The rats, which were exterminated, caused more than $10,000 damage, including the loss of 600 litres of beer.

Snr Const Kellas asked anyone who saw suspicious activity in the area about the time of the robbery to contact him.