Allegedly lifted safe from bakery

GREYMOUTH: A Cobden man appeared in court yesterday charged with burglary, after a large safe was apparently lifted out of the Do Duck Inn bakery by a forklift, late last month.

In a statement yesterday morning, Greymouth police said the 300kg safe, stolen some time between 10pm on October 26 and 6am the following morning, was found in Greymouth on Tuesday.

Police say it was loaded into the bakery’s van, which was found later on the morning of the burglary, abandoned in Cobden.

Police found the safe while executing search warrants on a Greymouth address.

The man was arrested and charged with burglary, and possession of methamphetamine (P) and cannabis.

John William Pottinger (54), of Cobden, made a brief appearance before a court registrar. Pottinger was remanded on bail without plea to December 12.

Police say another offender may have been involved in the heist and appealed for anyone who might have witnessed suspicious activity to come forward.

Thieves have targeted numerous Greymouth businesses in the past three weeks, the latest being the Sanpan Chinese Restaurant in Albert St, overnight on Sunday.

‘‘Police would like to remind the public that recording serial numbers of items of property helps police to recover them if they are ever stolen,’’ a spokesman said.

Tasman district commander Superintendent Mike Johnson said the arrest was pleasing and the culmination of some good police work.

At this stage, police were continuing a number of inquiries related to the burglary of the bakery and other premises in Greymouth, Mr Johnson said. — Greymouth Star