He had been speaking with his staff a few weeks earlier about how lucky the business was to have avoided any break-ins or ram raids at that time.
“I speak things into existence,” he said wryly.
Funnell said the attempted ram raiders were able to get into the store, but with the store’s stock hidden, they left empty-handed.
“I’ve got glass shatterers and door sensors and a very high commercial screamer.
“So that was all going off and I don’t know how uncomfortable that is for him. So he left very quickly and drove off.”
Damage caused during the attempted ram raid at Richard James Jeweller in Hastings.
Since the attempted break-in, temporary wooden walls had gone up around the store’s entrance, but Funnell said the store was still operating as usual.
“We had everyone turn up and get the job done. So, we’re grateful.”
He expected to have his glass storefront back in roughly two weeks.
Funnell said the incident did not make him think twice about operating a jewellery business.
“Every town’s got its ratbag.
“The business will just carry on as usual. That’s what we have insurance and resilience for.”
Detective Nicholas Moorhouse said police were asking for anyone with information on the incident to get in touch.
Police are searching for this stolen grey/silver coloured Mazda CX-5 used in a ram raid at a Hastings jewellers.
Moorhouse said police were looking for a stolen grey/silver coloured Mazda CX-5 in relation to the ram raid.
He said anyone with information on the incident, the vehicle, or who was involved, should contact 105 – either online or over the phone – and reference the file number 260629/7431.
Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.