Frustrated at theft and time it took to investigate

THE editorial ‘‘Police not to blame for chase crashes’’ (ODT, 21.1.19) raises an important point. Sympathies and excuses should not obscure the sour truth that car stealing is a serious crime and should be prosecuted as such.

A week ago (Monday night, 14.1.19), my Nissan Pulsar was stolen. As usual, it was parked on the road next to my house in Riselaw Rd, Dunedin. The site has street lights, and the convenience shop is just across the road.

First thing in the morning, I made a police report at Great King St office, and was assured my case would be investigated once processed. For another three days, I had no confirmation or the case assignment, and only got it once I made a complaint to the police general inquiry office.

Even today, almost a week after my report, the police database shows my car as ‘‘NOT STOLEN’’.

It is interesting that I noticed that a similar car (year, make, colour) was oddly parked at the footpath 50m away. I checked the plate number against the police database, and confirmed that it was stolen.

Shortly after my report to the police, they notified the owners who came over to retrieve the car which had an engine problem. Obviously, the thieves just swapped it for my car.

It’s very likely that whether my car is found or not, it will cost me a lot for either repairs or insurance excess fee ($600).

I wonder if once the attitude like ‘‘it’s just what boys do’’ will be substituted with strong intolerance and condemnation, there will be fewer victims. Mikhail Keniya

Calton Hill [Police area prevention manager Inspector Wil Black replies:

‘‘Within two days, the vehicle was flagged as stolen within our database — that meant police staff out in the community were in a good position to locate the vehicle if it was spotted.

The police website where stolen cars are listed does warn that there can be a delay in stolen vehicles appearing. However, we acknowledge that on this occasion it was delayed by seven days, which is longer than usual. This did not meet the high standard of service delivery we hold ourselves to.’’]

BIBLE READING: Jesus answered, ‘‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.’’ — John 6:29.