Rex Clapperton's truck was stolen, and, along with it, his dream of building a log home. Photo / Paul Taylor
If you want to stop thieves from stealing your wheels, buy a purple or pink car.
In the last six months the most popular colours for vehicle thefts in the Eastern District
were white (41) and silver (40).
Purple or pink are nowhere to be seen.
Toyota (27) was
the most popular make of vehicle stolen, followed by Mazda (23).
Holden Commodores (8) were the most common cars stolen.
And lock up your trailers - 32 were taken.
Ford Falcons and Subaru Legacys were popular as well.
Stealing someone's car or truck doesn't just deny them transport.
Theft victim Rex Clapperton told Hawke's Bay Today that the theft of his truck had cost him a hefty $20,000 and, more importantly, his dream of creating a log house.
"People have dreams of creating things," he said. "This project was going to be the pinnacle of my creative career and someone has gone and completely ruined it."
The 61-year-old Hastings man said his Isuzu Forward truck was stolen on September 15, from the small coastal settlement of Whirinaki.
"I had a pet log house project. I purchased the logs specially from Te Mata Peak.
"I'd left the truck in Whirinaki overnight because we couldn't drive it because of Covid restrictions.
"I had a drive all jacked up to bring the truck back to Hastings."
Clapperton couldn't drive the truck himself because he didn't have a heavy vehicle licence.
"I had a heart attack before I could get my licence, and then Covid hit."
The next day he received a phone call saying his truck had been stolen.
"The people crashed through the fence, the gate, broke the strainer posts, and left wheel tracks and wreckage behind."
The theft was reported to police but Clapperton has only been told the investigation remains ongoing.
"It's ruined the whole project and cost me $20,000."
Three Isuzus were stolen in the last six months including two Isuzu Elfs and one Isuzu Forward which could well belong to Clapperton.
The data was snapshot taken from Eastern District Police for vehicle thefts in the past six months from the police Vehicle of Interest database and therefore police were unable to guarantee the accuracy of the information.
In the last two weeks, 14 vehicles in Napier and Hastings were targets of theft.
Police were warning people to be wary of "opportunistic thieves" after a spate of vehicle thefts in the areas.
The vehicle thefts occurred at river access car parks and at dog park car parks.
Approximately 10 vehicles in Hastings and four vehicles in Napier were targeted.
Eastern District Police said they recommend that people should always lock and secure their vehicles, including windows wound up.
They also urged people to remove valuables where possible, but if they must be kept there, ensure they were out of sight.
The installation of a car alarm was also worth considering, police said.
Police said thieves were "opportunistic" and urged people to follow their advice and help put a stop to this type of offending.
In the last two months six people have been arrested and charged for various offences including vehicle thefts.
On August 22, two teenagers were arrested after being found with a stolen car, a Mazda Demio, on Coventry Ave, Napier. They faced a range of charges including burglary and unlawful taking of motor vehicles.
"This was great work from our staff to get these burglaries solved and the alleged offenders brought to justice," Inspector Marty James, area manager prevention Hawke's Bay, said.
"It's a win for us and for the community to be able to apprehend these people and put a stop to this offending, especially when nobody is supposed to be out and about in level 4."
More recently on September 20, two youths were arrested in relation to vehicle theft, aggravated robbery and theft of petrol and alcohol.