Police in Palmerston North are looking to solve an unusual burglary that happened over the Christmas break.
Thieves broke into a storage depot owned by Horizons Regional Council and disregarded a host of high value items in favour of 200 brand new possum traps; sparking concerns that someone is using them to run an 'under the table' pest control business.
The burglary took place between 22 December and 4 January at the depot on the Kairanga Bunnythorpe Road. Also stolen was a 2 wheel CRF 230F red motorbike. The traps are valued around $5,000.
So far enquiries have failed to identify the offenders and police now want to appeal to the public, particularly the rural and farming communities for information about the burglary.
Detective Sergeant Ashley Gurney said: "This was clearly not opportunist. The thieves went to some great effort to break in to a secure and alarmed complex and would have needed a Ute or truck to transport 200 possum traps away in one trip.
"We want to know if anyone has been approached by someone selling these traps or if any pest control services have suddenly been offered in the area."
Horizons spokesman Craig Mitchell said the loss of the traps and motorbike was a blow to progress on the council's pest control programme, which aims to protect fragile native bush and productive farmland in the region.
"We're hoping someone who knows, or even suspects they know what happened will share that information with the police," said Mr Mitchell.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Gurney at Palmerston North Police on 06 351 3600 or the Palmerston North Crime Line on 0800 808585.
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 06 351 2546 or 027 234 8256.