A keen Greenhithe fisherman was gutted when his yacht was burgled. But thanks to police handiwork, he is out with his rods again, reports Valerie Schuler.
Malcolm Black didn't think he would be doing much fishing this summer. But a reversal of bad luck means he's out chasing those big snappers after all.
His prized yacht, Noble Edition, was one of several boats hit during a spate of burglaries in Greenhithe late last year. Adult's and kids' reels and rods worth about $1600 were stolen from the moored boat.
Mr Black, a keen fisherman and long-time local, was fuming.
But, just before the summer holidays, he received good news. Kumeu police had arrested a couple of young offenders and nearly all the precious fishing equipment was recovered.
"I'm stoked as I really didn't expect to get the gear back," says Mr Black. "It came back just in time for the summer holidays and we got some fishing in during the break."
Depth sounders, navigation lights and other equipment taken from the moorings off Rahui and Marae roads were also returned to their owners.
Despite Neighbourhood Watch groups, eight burglaries were committed in Greenhithe between August and October last year - a huge number, says local community constable Hermien Kok. She thinks Mr Black is extremely lucky to get his fishing gear back.
"Once goods hit the receivers, they are usually gone," says Constable Kok.
"We sometimes retrieve items during related or unrelated search warrants, or get called from shops about suspicious second-hand goods, but it's not that usual."
Constable Kok says things have been much quieter in the area over the Christmas break.
"Since the big spate of burglaries in October, things have been pretty good, touch wood.
But she added, "If people see anything suspicious, they should take notes and always call the police."
As for Mr Black, he has put extra bolts on his boat hatches and plans to keep a close eye on his fishing gear.
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