Fishing gear theft caught on camera
A man who stole thousands of dollars of fishing gear from a boat while its owner slept was identified by security footage posted on social media.
Stanley Hazleton, 21, pleaded guilty to a charge of theft, in Nelson District Court on Monday.
The police summary of facts stated that on January 26, 2021,
Hazleton went to the Whitianga Marina, on the Coromandel Peninsula, at 3am.
He went along a pier to a boat where five Shimano game fishing rods and reels, valued at $2100 each, were located in holders at the boat’s stern.
Asleep on the boat were the victim and his 4-year-old son, who were intending to head out fishing in the morning.
Hazleton took a rod and left the area. However, an hour later he returned with an associate and the pair took another rod each.
Hazleton’s actions were captured on security footage and when the footage was posted on social media he was identified by several people.
Later that day, police tracked Hazleton down to a Whitianga address. They found the reels buried in the back garden and the fishing rods elsewhere on the property. Judge Richard Russell said Hazleton had co-operated with the police by naming his associate and returning the equipment. However, his unwillingness to engage in restorative justice meant his sentence could not be discounted.
‘‘I am sure the owners of the fishing rods and vessel have a lot to say to you,’’ the judge said.
He sentenced Hazleton to 120 hours of community work and ordered an emotional harm payment of $200.