Sallies’ van used in heist

A Salvation Army van that helps people to work was used in the theft of about 100 watches from a Bay of Islands business.

Sergeant Kevin Milne said staff at a jeweller’s in Paihia were doing a stock take when a stand with about 100 watches, with an estimated value of up to $20,000, was taken and thrown into a van. Police tracked the vehicle to an address in Kaikohe, where a man and a woman, both aged 25, were arrested and charged with theft. They are to appear in the District Court at Kaikohe tomorrow.

Only six of the watches had been recovered.

Salvation Army education and employment national director Gregory Fortuin said the van was being used as part of a programme, launched in Northland in 2014, that helped people into employment. It had been very successful, helping people who had worked extremely hard, with Salvation Army support, to change their lives.

“The van is used to help groups of eight to 12 people at a time travel to work in various places around Northland, which can require them driving long distances,” Mr Fortuin said.

“A member of the group who has been through a thorough screening process can be (approved) to drive the van, and transport other members to and from their work.”

It was unclear who had been driving when the watches were stolen, Mr Fortuin saying he was unable to comment further until any subsequent court case had been completed.

Those now in the programme were waiting to start a fruit picking job in the next few days.