Big jump in Tu¯rangi burglaries
Kia ora koutou. After months of low burglary figures we had a big jump last week with 10 burglaries reported.
Part of the reason for this sudden spike was a spate of burglaries around holiday homes. People arrive for the weekend or a break to find their home has been broken into in their absence.
Three of last week’s reported burglaries were in the Jellicoe Point area, but one of the great things is that from CCTV footage we have very strong lines of enquiry and we are investigating these with the help of the Taupo¯ Tactical Crime Unit. The homes had cameras and alarms and they were monitored as well so the security guards got out there quickly.
It’s worthwhile looking at CCTV or alarm systems to protect your property as the price of these has dropped dramatically and these days you can look at what’s happening on your property on the screen of your mobile phone or laptop from Wellington, Auckland or even overseas. I think especially for holiday homes where a lot of the areas don’t have many full- time residents it’s another nice little safeguard for them. I remember one incident where there was a burglary in progress and the home owner was watching them on his laptop from another place in New Zealand. We arrived, surrounded the house and arrested a male for burglary. The footage from the cameras is much clearer these days too which is a big help.
Some of the other burglaries involved petrol tanks being taken from boats, also in holiday home areas such as Motuoapa and Tauranga-Taupo¯, where the boats have been parked outside and thieves are taking their tanks, obviously for the petrol. People get boats ready to go out the next day and don’t secure them overnight. All it takes is an opportunist to come along. It is much better to lock the gear away as it doesn’t take long to chuck a tank on or the fishing rods in the morning.
We had one unlawful taking last week, a motorbike which was recovered later after some help from locals. We also recovered some stolen bikes and returned them, and we have some good leads. Last week we recorded three family harm incidents.
In two the parties were separated and in the third a man was arrested and remanded in custody to appear in court.
Finally, we need your help to find Chevy Duff, 16, who absconded from a bail address in Auckland and now has a warrant for his arrest. We know he is in our local area.
Police want to speak to him about the recent increase in crime in Tu¯rangi. If you know his whereabouts please contact Tu¯rangi Police on 386 7709 or anonymously on 0800 CRIMELINE.
Nga¯ mihi, Te Reipa.