Far North police crack ID of Buttcrack Bandit

Social networking through the internet has led to the capture of an infamous Northland man better known as the "Buttcrack Bandit".

Lane Lewis Junior Toto, 28, appeared on a charge of burglary in the Kaitaia District Court after he was arrested last Friday in the Far North. He has been remanded in custody to appear again on March 13.

Houhora police woman Senior Constable Tracee Knowler said appeals through the Houhora police Facebook page had been instrumental in finding Toto.

Earlier this year the policewoman posted security camera pictures of a man exposing his "builder's crack" during a theft of a Far North liquor store.

The post went viral with 64,000 people from more than 18 countries and speaking eight different languages viewing the story.

It's alleged late on Christmas Eve the Houhora Liquor Centre was broken into and boxes of alcohol stolen.

Ms Knowler appealed for help: "He is - male, very large and with a 'crack' any decent chippie would be proud of."

A major national airline picked up on the photos and claimed "even the Buttcrack Bandit would think they were a steal", when referring to their cheap deals. There have been subsequent appeals on Facebook by Houhora police.

Ms Knowler said as a result of the appeals through Facebook she had been given information that helped find the wanted man.

"It's a great tool Facebook. A lot of people were sceptical about it at first but it's fast becoming a great asset. It's worth its weight in gold," she said.

While other police stations in the country have Facebook pages, Houhora is Northland's only station online.

In her latest post, Ms Knowler has warned of a prowler in the Burnage Rd area. There was one report about a person on the property in the early hours of last Friday morning.

"Please let me know ASAP if there have been others - anywhere - and ... if you think you have a prowler then please dial 111 immediately," she wrote.