Teens target Mazdas in online craze
Police suspect social media challenges are driving a spate of Mazda thefts in Taranaki.
A group of 30 teenagers — some as young as 13 — are believed to be responsible for stealing more than 100 cars of this brand since January.
The Mazda theft phenomenon first appeared in Taranaki in November and December, when up to 30 were stolen.
Since the start of the year, a total of 200 vehicles have been taken in the province — 108 of them Mazdas, many of the type usually referred to as “nana cars”.
Taranaki crime prevention manager Senior Sergeant Kyle Davie said it appeared the young people — some of who were repeat offenders — were trying to make a name for themselves.
“We understand there is some link to social media and that videos of the offending are being posted on to various social media platforms which is potentially something to do with those young people gaining notoriety.”
Police were aware of videos being posted on Snapchat and have also had reports of them appearing on the TikTok platform, Davie said.
He urged Mazda owners to be vigilant.
“We can’t be 100 per cent sure why they should be targeting Mazdas, but we believe it’s because there is a perception they are easy to break into and to interfere with the ignition wiring to get them going, which is known as hot-wiring, and that’s why we think they are being taken.”
The most commonly stolen Mazdas are the Demio, Familia and Atenza models.
An Oakura mother — whom RNZ agreed not to identify — said her daughter’s Mazda was stolen from outside the family home recently.
Police recovered the car within 48 hours but it was badly damaged.
“They’d obviously been using it for burn ups . . . They took the headlights, the front bumper was on the back seat and it was basically scratched up, beaten up and written off.”