Cop shop heist admitted
The man who brazenly burgled the Palmerston North police station tried to take 26 firearms, but only managed to load some of them into his car before he was rumbled.
Alan James Harris, 38, packed nine firearms in his car, as well as cannabis and ammunition, before being spotted by police.
He pleaded guilty in the Palmerston North District Court yesterday to the Anzac Day burglary.
The crime was opportunistic, with Harris peering over a fence as he walked past the station to see an open garage door on the morning of April 25.
He took the chance to get inside, then kicked down the exhibits room door.
He took the chance to get inside, then kicked down the exhibits room door. He removed 26 guns of various types and calibres, as well as ammunition and cannabis, which he hid in an adjoining property before getting his car and loading it with the goods.
He took off when he was seen by police, later distributing the guns and ammunition among associates.
Police recovered everything apart from one gun.
Police initially said 11 guns had been taken from the station, but revised the figure to nine after an internal audit into the theft found two had never left the station. Police blamed a ‘‘clerical error’’ for the miscount.
Harris had already pleaded guilty to unrelated charges of breaching release conditions and community work before yesterday’s hearing. He was, however, subject to those conditions at the time of the burglary. Judge Lance Rowe referred the matter to restorative justice. Harris will be kept in custody until sentencing.