Thieves took used vehicle filters to sell for scrap

Timaru flatmates Aaron David Kerr and William Henry McCullough only had to wander a few hundred metres to the scene of their crime.

Kerr, 47, and McCullough, 43, appeared separately in the Timaru District Court on Tuesday, but both pleaded guilty before Judge Jim Large to a charge of theft (over $1000) of used car parts from South Canterbury Toyota.

The stolen parts were found in a pile on the side of the driveway when police visited their address four days after the theft.

The summary of facts showed the pair live less than 300 metres from the back entrance to the business which they entered around 5.30pm on

April 16.

‘‘They proceeded through and around parked vehicles and ventured into a large covered area forming the front of South Canterbury Toyota’s workshop.

‘‘While there McCullough looked in a large closed wooden box.

He called back to

Kerr who was standing further back that the contents of the box were worth around a thousand bucks.’’

They then left the premises but returned 45 minutes later wearing different clothes and face masks.

‘‘They returned to the wooden box and removed eight diesel particulate filters from it.

‘‘The filters are valued at $270 each when sold for recycling. The total value of items stolen is $2160.’’

The pair confessed that they took the parts when police visited their address.

‘‘In explanation, the defendants stated that they took the parts from the wooden bin behind the Toyota dealer and found some piled up in another area nearby.

‘‘They stated that they intended to sell the parts for scrap metal,’’ the summary says.

Judge Large convicted the men and remanded them on bail to appear on September 27 for sentencing.

After finding the filters they left the premises but returned 45 minutes later wearing different clothes and face masks. Police summary