Constable Andy Hunter with some of the items stolen from coastal properties during a spate of burglaries. Photo / John Stone
Power tools and boating equipment worth close to $100,000, stolen from coastal properties around Northland, have been recovered by police.
The Tactical Crime Unit in Whangarei executed warrants at three houses on Western Hills Drive, Great North Rd in Kamo and in Wellingtons Bay/Whangaumu this week and recovered the stolen
items, including 10 outboard motors.
Three men aged 19 and an 18-year-old men have been arrested and have already appeared in the Whangarei District Court on burglary charges.
A 4m aluminium dinghy, hand tools such as grinders, and fishing gear such as nets and rods, were among items stolen from 12 properties, primarily baches and building sites along the coast, since September. With the help of Trade Me, police also identified a number of other outboards that have been sold on.
Thieves targeted boats, boat sheds and building sites in Whangarei Heads and coastal areas further north, including Oakura. A couple of properties in Russell and Rawhiti were also burgled. Police are keen for property owners who have had their items stolen in the past three months to come forward and claim them.
