‘Smashed and grabbed’ avocados worth $100,000
A Far North man is ‘‘gutted’’ after about $100,000 of avocados were pinched from his farm.
Graeme Burgess described the thieves as ‘‘bloody mongrels’’ after they took fruit from about 115 trees earlier this month.
Haas avocados from the orchard near Kaikohe were usually picked in October and November, Burgess said, so the stolen fruit would never ripen.
‘‘They will be no good for eating. That’s what annoys me the most, it’s a bloody waste.’’
In the two years of running the orchard, Burgess said it was the first time a theft had occurred.
While trees on the outer perimeter of the block still had fruit on them, it wasn’t until routine checks revealed fruit had been stolen. Trees with other varieties surrounding the house were untouched. ‘‘I just feel gutted, I want to sell the place.’’
Burgess said he had recently spotted a man ‘‘taking a shortcut’’ through his property, which he said was strange given the orchard was surrounded by paddocks.
New Zealand Avocado chief executive Jen Scoular said it had had a number of reports of avocado theft across all avocadogrowing regions in New Zealand throughout this month
‘‘We treat all cases of avocado theft as significant, as do New Zealand Police,’’ Scoular said.
‘‘Recent incidences have resulted in people being prosecuted and sentenced in relation to avocado theft.’’
Scoular said the organisation had developed a range of recommended security measures in conjunction with police, which was circulated to growers.
‘‘Offenders can potentially be charged with burglary, which has a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment. If a shop owner knowingly has purchased stolen avocados, they could be charged with receiving stolen property, which carries a maximum imprisonment of seven years.’’
A police spokeswoman said officers visited Burgess’ property on July 5, after he reported avocados were taken between July 1 and 4.
‘‘Unfortunately, as there is no CCTV footage or witnesses, it has left police with limited lines of inquiry,’’ she said.