‘Unbelievable’: Hundreds of People Support Business Owners After Theft

People from across the country have come together to help the owners of a beloved Auckland café recover after a robbery.

Rockys Restaurant & Café was robbed earlier in the week.

Owners Rocky Warnakulasuriya and his wife Jeevani Thusitha, working parents of two, including a newborn, were left crying.

The heartbreaking act further affected the small hospitality business as the couple were unable to afford insurance.

Warnakulasuriya said thousands of dollars worth of items were taken, including a laptop and two iPads worth $ 2,500, a liquor load of $ 1,500 and $ 500 in cash from the box and tip bottle.

Since news of the theft was shared, generous people have flooded a Givealittle page with thousands of dollars in donations.

The funding page of regulars and sisters Renee Argyros and Holly Wiles, who set a goal of $ 20,000 to cover one year of insurance, to build a more secure entrance to prevent future break-ins and replace stolen items.

Funds raised through Wednesday night have exceeded the $ 20,000 goal.

More than 500 donors have raised more than $ 28,000 for the couple in two days.

A generous person donated $ 1000.

The avalanche of support is incredible for Warnakulasuriya.

“I can’t believe all the support I’m getting. The people around us and not just from Auckland, Queenstown, Oamaru and some other communities in New Zealand. Some people may not even know us and it’s been amazing how much of support that we receive. They are getting, “he said.

The amount of money raised means that Rocky can make much-needed repairs to the business.

“It’s too hot for customers and my air conditioner is broken. Fridge [is] broken. [I can now] repair them. It is the initial stage of my business, I would like to have an established business to support my family.

“I don’t know how to thank you. I can’t thank you. [them] enough.”

Donors have left heartfelt messages for the couple on the Givealittle page, including local clients and people who reach the bottom of the South Island.

“Life would end without your donuts!” one person wrote.

Another person said, “I am a café owner and I work very hard without maternity leave to make ends meet. I also have a newborn. It is heartbreaking to hear this.”

Another donor wrote: “How devastating, let’s hope this page gives you faith that there are good people in the world who care!”

A police spokeswoman said police received a report Monday morning of a robbery at the site.

“Police attended and conducted an initial forensic examination. Further investigations will be conducted.”