Mazdas damaged, used for burnouts
Police are warning Mazda owners to be vigilant after a slew of the cars were stolen, damaged and used to perform burnouts in Taranaki since the weekend.
Fifteen vehicles were pinched from across New Plymouth and attempts were made to take a further seven. Three cars were also interfered with.
All the targeted vehicles were Mazdas and were predominately Demios, Atenzas and Familias, police have said.
The majority of the stolen cars have been recovered and are damaged, a police spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
‘‘For example, dented – and have clearly been doing burnouts,’’ they said.
There did not appear to be a pattern of where the vehicles were being stolen from – which suggested the offenders may drive the cars around until they locate another vehicle to steal, then abandon the original car, the statement said.
One of the victims, Caitlyn Watson, realised her 1998 Familia had been stolen from the roadside of her Westown property late on Monday evening.
‘‘I got up to go outside and get something from it, and it was gone,’’ the 27-year-old said. ‘‘I was absolutely wild. I still am.’’
The car was located by police in the early hours of Tuesday morning, she said.
It had been abandoned in the car park of the shopping complex on Wallath Rd, Westown.
The offender had left inside the car a pillow and a bag of items, which Watson was handing to police.
All four of the car’s brand-new tyres had been slashed and the ignition had been ripped out, Watson said. She is not sure how much it will cost to repair the total damage, but it will be a cost she cannot afford. Watson bought the car for $1900 and does not have insurance.
She is currently employed as a cleaner and is soon to start a new job, which was when she planned to get cover for the car, she said.
Her dad has provided her with temporary tyres, and she was able to drive the car from the salvage yard using a screwdriver to start it.
‘‘It’s been such a tough year for everyone,’’ Watson said. ‘‘People are out here trying to make a living, trying to get their lives on track and then people do stuff like this.
‘‘It’s just so heartless.’’ New Plymouth police constable Brad Chapman said the recent Mazda thefts were a significant increase on what has been an ongoing issue. The models were targeted as it was believed they were easier to steal, he said.
There was also a spike in Mazda thefts across the district in early 2020.
Police enquiries are ongoing to identify and locate the offenders in the recent spate.
To help deter thieves, police advise vehicle owners keep their cars locked at all times and consider extra security, including steering locks and an alarm system. Use a garage if possible and remove valuables from vehicles, they advised.
Police encourage people to call 105 with reports of anything unusual, suspicious or if they see or hear cars doing burnouts.