Monday, 30 January 2023 - 10:52am |
Waitematā

Burglars caught in the act during Auckland flooding

1 min read

Please attribute to Inspector Danny Meade, Tāmaki Makaurau District Police

Police have arrested a 57-year-old man last night outside a vape store in Wairau Valley, North Shore Auckland after receiving a report of suspicious activity.

About 8.30pm, a man and a woman were seen allegedly taking products from a vape store which was made insecure in the rising flood waters. 

The offenders were observed putting a significant number of products into a van.

The man and woman were stopped at the scene by Police with the stolen goods in the van. 

A search of the man’s vehicle showed a number of other stolen items from another commercial premises nearby which was also insecure as a result of the weather.

“This type of opportunist behaviour when people are just trying to deal with an emergency is pretty low. The effect of burglary and theft is evident on small and big businesses as well – it’s selfish and thoughtless.”

The man will appear before the North Shore District Court facing burglary charges. The woman has been issued a formal warning.

Call 111 in an emergency if something is happening right now, illegal or suspicious. If it’s already happened you can provide information via the Police non-emergency number – call 105 or go online at 105.police.govt.nz 

Waea atu ki 111 me he ohotata, e tū ana rānei tētahi mea taihara, hihira rānei i taua wā tonu. Mēnā kua pahawa kē, me tuku taipitopito mā te nama ohotata-kore a Ngā Pirihimana - waea atu ki 105, toro ki te ipurangi ki 105.police.govt.nz rānei.

ENDS 

Issued by Police Media Centre