With brazen smash and grabs showing no sign of slowing down there are fears it's only a matter of time until an innocent bystander is hurt.
So while vigilantism might seem tempting, a top security expert is urging the public to stay well clear.
Another ram-raid hit Auckland on Sunday night. The front entrance of a Panmure store was destroyed by a vehicle police later found abandoned.
"Obviously, it's not good, but what can we do?" Mobile Muster director Minn Goh said.
The mobile phone repair store in Panmure is the latest victim in a long line of ram-raids in Auckland. Police were called to the scene at about 2am and confirmed that a youth was involved.
But it's not just Auckland. On Sunday, dramatic footage captured a brazen daylight smash and grab robbery at Hamilton's The Base shopping mall.
One man was filmed as he appeared to be unsure whether to use a chair to take on the offenders or protect himself.
Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate fears for the safety of bystanders who might want to get involved.
"Please, people, don't do anything rash, don't put yourself at risk," she said.
This concern is echoed by Retail New Zealand.
"The current situation is extremely serious, it is extremely worrying and it is really only a question of time until someone gets quite seriously hurt," Retail NZ chief executive Greg Harford said.
It's not hard to see why they're concerned, these brazen smash and grabs are happening frequently and it's fuelling public anger.
Footage taken last month shows a bystander kicking a thief's getaway car on Auckland's Queen Street.
Newshub has also seen footage police have asked us not to air of people throwing objects at the car fleeing the scene in Hamilton on Sunday.
NZ Security Association CEO Gary Morrison said he can relate to the temptation to get involved.
"Fully understand," Morrison said.
But he's urging the public not to because these thieves can be armed.
"We've got multiple offenders in these situations; they're carrying weapons, they've got axes, they've got metal bars, potentially concealed weapons that you don't know about," Morrison said.
Because while stolen goods can be replaced, lives cannot.
