26 April 2006
Thefts ex cars target credit cards and cheque books
Cheques and credit cards are being targeted in theft ex cars around the city by thieves who are turning their ’ill gotten gains' around very quickly.
Inspector Gary Knowles says that after looking at reports from recent weeks, it seems as though offenders are ignoring the more traditionally targeted items, such as stereo gear, and taking cards and other items that they can turn over more quickly.
"There were 22 theft ex cars reported today from the central city last night," says Inspector KNOWLES. "The colder nights which make people draw their curtains and stay inside, are helping burglars in that there are less people around to see and hear them."
Inspector KNOWLES says a common trend of operating these days seems to be to break into a vehicle then remove only one cheque from the centre of a cheque book and take only one credit card, leaving tidily so that the theft is not immediately noticed.
"One woman last week was in at Central Police Station reporting the theft from her car while at the same time the offender was trying to cash her cheque in town," say Gary Knowles. "Offenders are aiming at a quick turnaround before the theft is realised and reported."
Police advise not to leave any items such as credit cards and cheque books in vehicles. If your cheque book is stolen, check the number sequence against your records so a missing cheque can be easily identified.
"It is easy to overlook one missing cheque, then not bother to report the break in as it may be less than your insurance excess. It can take a while before you realise that anything has been taken," Inspector Knowles says.
Three offenders were caught last night; all males aged 15, 17 and 19 years old. A 22 year old male was apprehended last week and charged with a number of thefts ex cars in the inner city including presenting a stolen cheque.
Another male was charged last week with presenting a stolen cheque, and a third for receiving stolen property. Three other males were charged in mid April with theft ex cars.
Previous release 10 April;
Christchurch Police have noticed an increase in the number of theft ex cars since early March.
Senior Sergeant Neru Leifi says that the usual weekly average is 10- 15 theft ex cars around the city however over March the number increased to more that 30.
"The thefts ex cars have gone up city wide since March," Senior Sergeant Leifi says. "However in particular the numbers have gone up from Oxford Terrace towards the east."
Senior Sergeant Leifi says it is not only your valuable jackets and other items that are stolen that cause people distress, but the damage the thief does to your car to get into it.
Nu Leifi advises;
„I lock up your car carefully- check it again!
„I park in a well lit area when you can
„I keep valuables with you or hide out of sight
„I if you do hide valuables, do so before you park in case some one is watching.
„I if you see anyone hanging around, notify police
„I and find another parking place, don't take the risk
Snr Sgt Leifi says that police will be targeting repeat offenders and known ’hot' locations.
"This is intel led policing, putting resources where we know the problems are."