Bus drivers robbed five times in under a week
Buses in the Hutt Valley were robbed five times in the space of less than a week, with the robbers making off with the buses’ cash boxes.
Police confirmed they were investigating five reports of robbery and theft targeting the buses’ cash boxes, saying on Wednesday they appeared to be linked.
A memo from operator Tranzurban to its Hutt Valley staff on Tuesday said they happened at the same location during similar times, at High St outside Naenae College between 6-8pm. The company believed the assailants were the same people, two teenagers wearing hoodies, who stole four cash boxes. The duo flagged down the bus and once it stopped, they boarded and stole the cash till, the bus operator said. The incidents happened last week on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, as well as this Monday and Tuesday.
Relieving Hutt Valley Area Commander Inspector Simon de Wit said officers had recovered two out of the four stolen boxes and conducted forensic examinations.
“Luckily no one has been injured in these incidents. However, we understand this would have been distressing for the bus drivers involved and witnesses nearby,” he said. “Everyone deserves to be able to do their work or go about their day without being threatened, harmed, or made to feel unsafe.”
Tranzurban drivers were told if they saw someone matching the assailants’ description or acting suspiciously, they should not stop the bus and should alert its network support centre. Māori Wardens and Metlink’s transport officers were already deployed in the area.
“If you have passengers wishing to disembark, please apologise and drop them as close to the bus stop as soon as it’s safe to do so.”
Should someone make an attempt for the cash box, the drivers should not resist and should allow it to be taken, then immediately contact the network support centre who would call the police.
Kevin O’Sullivan, Wellington branch secretary of the Tramways Union, said the robberies were a concern to its members and “something needs to be done about it”.
Metlink’s senior manager Matthew Chote said the robberies were limited to one route, and fare box crimes were “incredibly rare”.
“Only a handful of incidents are reported each year on over a million Metlink bus services,” he said.
The police asked anyone with information to contact them online or phoning 105, through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, referencing the file number 240424/0967.