Rural burglaries on the rise
A thief cut a padlock to enter a yard in Waharoa and stole a kids motorbike while cheeky offenders who stole 300 litres of fuel left $10 behind as compensation.
The break-ins and thefts were just a few in an increasing number police are investigating around the Matamata district.
Police are warning people to keep their properties secure and lock unattended vehicles.
Matamata Police prevention officer Aimee Searle says the rural community has responded well and people have been reporting suspicious behaviour.
She says one person contacted her about a suspicious white van parked on a road.
Police found the van was linked to numerous burglaries over the Waikato.
Searle says thefts from cars are increasing, especially around Waharoa. Often the vehicles are left for only a couple of minutes and offenders are in and out before the driver has realised.
She is encouraging people to use common sense, such as locking vehicles, taking keys and easy to carry valuables, or hiding them well.
She says any theft should be reported to police.
The Leaderbrand Produce premises on Martyn Road, Waharoa, was targeted for a sec- ond time recently, and plastic asparagus crates were stolen.
A vehicle parked on Douglas Road was broken into and a wallet stolen.
Petrol and diesel along with fuel containers have been targeted also.
Several thefts were reported on Waharoa Road East, including a faceplate taken from a cab tractor after offenders found a key.
Offenders gained entry to a house and garage through a broken and unlocked ranch slider. An offender has taken the power cord from the back of a security camera to disable it.
About four-to-five small petrol containers were taken from trailers at the back of a truck stop on SH 29.
Elsewhere, a container on Rapurapu Road was broken into and a Yamaha Big Bear quad bike along with a 20 litre petrol container were taken. The bike was located.
A shed located down a long tanker track was entered on Wardville Road and a petrol container and long handled Stihl line trimmer were taken from inside.
A 2014 white Suzuki DR200 was stolen from the back of an address on Hinuera Road.