Compactor broke cash safe open

A safe picked up by rubbish collectors found to contain as much as $30,000 in cash was cracked open by a rubbish compactor.

Council contractors picked the safe up in Hillsborough on March 7 after it was left out for collection.

Upon cracking it open, they found a sum of money inside, which was handed in to police.

Auckland Council was notified of the discovery on the same day.

Information released to the Herald under the Official Information Act by Auckland Council showed the safe was opened after being put in the back of a truck.

“The safe, along with other rubbish material, was placed into the back of the compactor rubbish truck.

“The truck then activated a ‘compacting cycle’. At this time the compacting device crushed and broke open the safe box, and the money was discovered.

“The collection staff then immediately notified Waste Management and the NZ Police were also notified at the same time.”

The matter was under investigation by police but so far no charges have been laid.

Auckland Council said no complaints or disciplinary actions were taken against staff employed by Waste Management in relation to the incident with the safe.

The amount of money found in the safe, the amount handed in to police and the identity of the safe’s owner were not disclosed to the council.

The safe’s owner had previously declined to be interviewed and police did not disclose the amount of cash handed in. — Tess Nichol