While applying heat to recidivist burglars to reverse the traditional summer rise in burglaries Hamilton Police have also been targeting those that create the market for thieves- the receivers.
Two brothers aged 32 and 37-years old are due to appear in the Hamilton District Court on the 14th of December on 14 charges of receiving stolen goods, nine of which are laid jointly.
Senior Constable Jake Van Selm of the Hamilton Law Enforcement Team said the arrest of the pair followed recent searches of a Frankton storage unit and properties in Te Pahu.
"A large amount of tools and equipment taken from building sites in burglaries between 2000-2009 was recovered as well as generators, trail and quad bikes and a racing go-kart stolen from a business on Kahikatea Dr.
"Other items include household goods and a child's 50cc motorbike. We're currently working through reported thefts to try and marry up the recovered goods with their owners."
Working through the haul officers have so far been able to identify property taken from 11 different burglaries over recent years.
Police believe the recovered property had changed hands within the criminal community prior to the brothers' arrest and intertwined in this process had been the exchange of illicit drugs.
The arrests come just days after the discovery of a car stripping operation operating out of a Hamilton East home.
Sergeant Dale Smith said three stolen cars were recovered from a Watts Cres address and parts and number plates of other several others were found stashed inside and under the home.
"We arrived to find a Nissan Navara sporting registration plates belonging to a stolen Holden Commodore, the Navara had been stolen from Auckland.
"Three men were arrested and enquiries are continuing into locating the origins of the other recovered vehicle parts and registration plates."
Hamilton Police are continuing operations targeting both burglars and the receivers of their ill-gotten goods but they need the public to do their part.
"If you notice something that appears suspicious or out of place then it probably is," said Mr Smith.
"That's when you need to follow your instincts, jot down any vehicle details or offender details and give Police a ring, don't presume we already know about it."
End