A van like this one was stolen from the Waipuna Hospice.
A van like this one was stolen from the Waipuna Hospice.
"Low-life" thieves are believed to have stolen a charity's van after crashing and dumping another stolen vehicle.
The Waipuna Hospice delivery van was stolen in the early hours of Thursday, following the abandonment of another stolen car, which was crashed near the charity's grounds.
Tauranga police Senior Sergeant Greg Turnersaid a Ford Falcon stolen in Auckland and fitted with stolen number plates from Morrinsville was crashed less than 500 metres from the hospice.
The Falcon was badly damaged in the single-car crash on Wairoa Rd and was abandoned.
"The abandoned Falcon may be connected to the theft of the Waipuna Hospice van," Mr Turner said. "And on that basis we ask residents in the upper North Island to keep an eye open for the stolen red van."
"It has an impact on patients, who really haven't got a lot of time. We're trying to find a backfill on that gap while the insurance is getting sorted out, which is always a tough one."
The charity van, bought with community funds and donations about five years ago, was a crucial tool and was heavily relied on to connect at-home patients with health care and safety equipment needed, he said. Mr Thurlow said all three sets of keys belonging to the van were accounted for and staff were not aware of the van being in use. It was not until the ignition barrel was found where the van had been parked that staff realised the vehicle had been stolen.
It had been kitted out to transport care equipment, such as oxygen tanks, walkers and wheelchairs.
"The sad thing is, it was actually a really good van and it was just right for what it needed. We had done a lot of work on it, so it was fit for purpose for what we needed," Mr Thurlow said. "They have not just stolen from the organisation but they've stolen from the community."
Waipuna Hospice chief executive Richard Thurlow is gutted the charity’s van was stolen. Photo / George Novak
He asked for any information regarding the theft to be reported to police and was open to offers of help carry on with deliveries. "We're open to anyone who could loan us a van, that would be great. The van is something we're going to have to replace and I can imagine it won't be found that quickly or in one piece."
Police said the incident came a week after four youths from Mount Maunganui were arrested for allegedly taking and abandoning a number of cars between the Mount and Welcome Bay.
The theft also follows on from a spate of thefts, in which at least $100,000 worth of tools, appliances and equipment were stolen from newly built homes and work vans in early-morning raids around the Western Bay. Papamoa Senior Sergeant Phil Gillbanks reminded tradespeople to remain vigilant.
The stolen hospice van is a red 2006 Mazda E2000, licence plate DLJ395. Phone Tauranga police on (07) 577 7770 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 with information.
