Man charged with stealing 50 temporary roadworks signs from Hawke’s Bay highways

Restricted speed limits during major roadworks at Devil's Elbow, on State Highway 2, between Napier and Wairoa. Dozens of restricted speed signs were stolen from SH2 and SH5 (Napier-Wairoa) work sites over the weekend. Photo / NZME

A 56-year-old man was set to appear in court on Thursday charged over the theft of 50 temporary road signs that police found in the boot of his car.

The signs were found in the boot of a BMW 740E saloon on Sunday after it failed to stop for police after being involved in a crash near Rosehill, south of Papakura.

They are alleged to have been among 66 signs national highways agency NZTA Waka Kotahi says were stolen from work sites on State Highway 2 between Wairoa and Napier, and State Highway 5 between Napier and Taupō during the weekend.

The total is more than double the original count of at least 30 signs NZTA had earlier told Hawke’s Bay Today had been taken, understood to be mainly temporary speed signs at sites of Cyclone Gabrielle recovery projects.

Police specifically mentioned Devil’s Elbow on SH2 and Te Pōhue and Māori Gully on SH5 as areas targeted.

The man, from Lower Hutt, was arrested in Auckland on Sunday afternoon following what police said were “several” reports of dangerous driving between Napier and Auckland.

He had also been involved in a collision with another vehicle on State Highway 1 near Rosehill, south of Papakura, and had failed to stop at the scene.

The man is facing several charges, including theft, endangering transport, dangerous driving, and failing to stop to ascertain injury.

NZTA highways contractors replaced the stolen signs as soon as possible after their disappearance was discovered on Sunday.