Police want to identify owners of stolen building supplies

One of the pieces of recovered stolen property that police would like to see returned to its owner

Police have logged 360 stolen items which were recovered in three search warrants in August but are still looking for the owners of nearly 100 of those exhibits.

A 32 year old Mt Wellington man has been arrested and charged with six burglaries of construction sites around Auckland, particularly between Pokeno and Mt Roskill. Stolen property from at least 33 burglaries has been identified and further charges are likely.

Recovered items include whiteware, appliances, general construction supplies and tools.

Detective Sergeant Warrick Adkin says the Operation Supernova team has worked hard to identify most of the items but there are many still yet to be identified.

"We currently have 95 exhibits that we would like to return to the rightful owners if possible."

Photos of all the outstanding items are featured on the Counties Manukau Police Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Counties.Manukau.Police) in an album titled "Operation Supernova". Police ask that anyone who has had items stolen from a construction site or almost-complete home check the photographs for anything they recognise.

"A positive identification will need to be made which includes providing proof of purchase or ownership, as well as identifying any distinctive markings," says Detective Sergeant Adkin.

Police are aware that in some cases the burglary may not have been reported. If an item is identified, a burglary report will then need to be made retrospectively.

Items featured on the Facebook page include lawnmowers, doors, windows, power tools and kitchen appliances.

Anyone who recognises one of the exhibits is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Warrick Adkin by emailing warrick.adkin@police.govt.nz to arrange a viewing.

Police encourage builders to mark or etch a name into tools and supplies and record serial numbers on items of value.