Students’ bags found too after vans targeted
Bay of Islands College students have been reunited today with property including bags, wallets and personal items that were stolen from a school van at the Kerikeri Basin last week, just days after two German backpackers whose van was raided at the same time and the same place got most of their stuff back (Poor reward for teenage tourists, June 2).
Thieves smashed a window of the college van last Thursday morning while the Year 13 students were on a history field trip, taking six school bags and a teacher’s satchel. The bags contained text books, homework, makeup, wallets and packed lunches.
Teacher Alistair Leitch said he was saddened that anyone would stoop to stealing from a clearly marked school vehicle.
Two young German conservation volunteers, whose van was parked nearby, had their backpacks taken too, one losing almost everything but the clothes she was wearing.
Their packs were found dumped at Koutu Point, in the South Hokianga, next day however, with only some clothing and travel mementoes missing.
The students’ bags were found by a member of the public under trees at the entrance to Te Waimate Mission Station, Waimate North. Sergeant Phil Le Comte said the wallets had been emptied of cash but the bank cards and driver licences had been left. The only things missing were two of the trendier bags.
Their contents had been stuffed into the other bags.
“We’d like to say a big thank you to all the members of the public who’ve rung us with information and offers of help. We really appreciate it,” he said.
Meanwhile, the investigation is continuing. Police still want to hear from anyone with information about a couple seen acting suspiciously in the DOC carpark at the Kerikeri Basin last Thursday morning. They are described as a male Maori, aged about 30 with unkempt hair and facial hair or stubble, wearing a sleeveless green polarfleece top with a yellow high-visibility neckline, and a female Maori in her 20s. They were in a silver-grey car.
Call the Kerikeri police on 407-9211.
( 09)