Thieves target Franklin’s rural schools in ‘trend’

‘‘As with every scam, if the deal sounds too good to be true there’s probably a trap.’’

Police in Pukekohe have received a handful of complaints from members of the public regarding dodgy stereo sales people working in Pukekohe.

These scammers have been selling bargain priced stereo equipment from a van in The Zone (this is the Warehouse area) and The Mega ( Mitre 10 complex) and probably other retail areas around here.

Purchasers have come to the police a while later when they have found that the equipment is actually very poor quality and limited value.

The sellers then can’t be found.

The description is a white van and the sellers are described as Middle Eastern males.

Firstly it is not actually a criminal or police matter and the old rule of ‘buyer beware’ applies.

Consequently, the police can do little to get your money back, the stereos are not stolen. You get what you pay for. The bricks and mortar retailers that operate here have an obligation to sell reliable goods that perform as described, someone selling from a van in a carpark - despite the best sales technique - does not, and there is no come back.

We have forwarded what we know about these men to other Government agencies and to date the Commerce Commission, Inland Revenue, Customs and Immigration all have an interest in these men. They have been selling these stereos and similar items like this across Auckland.

As with every scam, if the deal sounds too good to be true there’s probably a trap.

Another trend we’ve had in the last week is burglaries to our rural schools.

It’s mostly country schools across Franklin that are getting burgled overnight, including Patumahoe, Tuakau and Pokeno to date. Caretakers’ sheds and offices are the target.

If you have any information, phone CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.

But keep an eye out for your local school if you live nearby.

Call us if you see or hear anything after school hours on the grounds please.

School boards and staff, we are contacting schools to let them know, but please be aware of this trend and harden up your security.

Lastly, our back to school truancy operation continues so ensure your kids are going to school and getting there on time as we are picking up those latecomers to school as well.