Two nabbed following theft from tourist

Ariadna Maskiver had thousands of dollars worth of items stolen from her car.

Two men have been arrested after an Argentine tourist staying in Hawke's Bay had more than $3000 worth of items stolen from her car.

Ariadna Maskiver had been living in Napier for five months as a trainee architect but her working holiday was ruined when thieves broke into her car as she picnicked on Bluff Hill with a friend last week.

The 30-year-old was left without her camera, passport, driver's licence and credit cards. The thieves also allegedly used her credit card in five transactions at a local supermarket, racking up a $400 bill.

Now police say they've arrested the alleged culprits. Sergeant Shannon Reid said police tracked down two men by viewing CCTV footage of them using Ms Maskiver's credit card.

A police spokeswoman said the men, one aged 20 from Napier and another aged 29 from Auckland, appeared in Napier District Court this week and were remanded in custody until September 23.

They faced 10 charges of stealing from cars in Napier, including the vehicles of visiting backpackers, after they allegedly targeted cars in the Napier Hill and Onekawa areas. The pair are also facing four further charges of using stolen bank cards.

Stolen property from the cars has been found, including packs of clothing owned by two German backpackers. Napier's Diamond Drycleaners has washed and dried the clothing at no charge and it will be returned to its owners.

Senior Sergeant David Sutherland said the arrests were a timely reminder not to leave items of value in an unattended car.