Please attribute to Sergeant Dave Grant, Counties Manukau Police
The majority of $12,000 worth of scorched almonds stolen from a South Auckland food bank will be handed back to give to families in need thanks to Police efforts.
Hundreds of boxes of the treats were stolen, along with a trailer, from a property in Papatoetoe on Wednesday night.
The almonds were donated to the South Auckland Christian Food Bank. They were going to be put in food parcels as a special treat, and given to families in need.
The theft was reported to Police yesterday. Police had been making a number of enquiries, before getting an anonymous tip. The tip led police to carry out a search warrant at an address in Manurewa.
While not all of the boxes of almonds have been recovered, the majority of the goods, along with the trailer, and a stolen vehicle, were all located at the address.
A man, who had a warrant to arrest for an unrelated matter, has been taken in custody.
He is due to appear in the Manukau District Court tomorrow.
The goods are expected to be handed back to the CEO of the food bank later this evening.
Sergeant Dave Grant says it was a sweet moment giving the treats back to the charity.
“It’s great we were able to help this charity get the goods back so they can continue to help people and communities in need,” he says.
“It’s a great result and very rewarding to be able to get back the goods and give them back to the food bank.”
ENDS
Adriana Weber/NZ Police
Media note: a short video of the recovered goods is available on the Counties Manukau District Police Facebook page.