'Undie Man' is arrested

A man wearing nothing but undies, gumboots and a towel used an axe to break into a business in the main street of Kaitaia. Photo/Supplied

Black undies, white gumboots and a towel wrapped around the head is an unusual choice of attire for a late night smash-and-grab robbery of a Far North building supplies business.

But the proof of the unusual clothing choice has been captured on a surveillance camera outside Placemakers in the main street of Kaitaia and a black and white photo of the man - who has been dubbed 'Undie Man' has appeared on Facebook.

It's alleged the scantily-clad 50-year-old man used an axe to smash through the glass panel front door of Placemakers shortly after 10.30pm last Tuesday.

A staff member who shared the photo described the burglar as "a drongo dressed for some sort of occasion but certainly not for breaking and entering".

Once inside the man, with the help of a wingman, allegedly gathered up arm loads of power tools, worth about $6000, and stashed the booty in a nearby garden before heading off.

But his freedom was brief.

When police arrived at the business to investigate the break-in 'Undie Man' also returned but this time clothed and wearing black gumboots.

The man was arrested and charged with burglary and wilful damage. After appearing in the Kaitaia District Court he was granted bail even though it was opposed by police.

Store manager Glen Hayman said he had been working late and had noticed a silhouette of someone near the business before he left about 10.30pm. He said he did not feel threatened but was a bit concerned.

Not long after he reached home he was contacted by a security officer informing him of the damage to the front door.

'Undie Man' - Carl Heta - will make another court appearance on July 10.

Northland his gaining a reputation for bizarre burglaries.

The latest Northland case comes only months after another infamous Northland criminal was jailed.

Lane Lewis Junior Toto - better known as "The Buttcrack Bandit" - got his unflattering moniker after CCTV footage of an impromptu liquor store burglary went viral after Houhora policewoman Tracee Knowler posted security photos on Facebook.

While bending down to pick up three boxes of beer and two boxes of cider after breaking into Houhora Liquor Store, the cheeky thief exposed some significant "builder's crack".

He was eventually tracked down by police and in August a judge at Kaitaia District Court jailed Toto for seven months.