Would-be car thief leaves accidental selfie

The woman who took a noise control officer's car inadvertently left a selfie behind thanks to a built-in security camera. Photo / Supplied

Taking a noise control officer's car might have seemed a good idea at the time - but so far it's not working out so well for a hapless car thief.

Police and a noise control officer were called out to Broadway, Kaikohe, in the early hours last Sunday after several complaints about loud music.

While the noise officer was seizing the offending stereo someone jumped into his car and took off.

In her haste to get away, the cheeky car thief hit a police car parked nearby, scraping panels and ripping off the wing mirror.

The noise control vehicle, which belongs to a security firm contracted to the Far North District Council, was found abandoned a short distance away.

What the driver may not have realised was that the car was fitted with a DriveCam system designed to record not just the road ahead but also anything going on in the car.

As a result, she inadvertently gifted the security company and police a series of selfies.

Police urge anyone who recognises the woman in the photo to call Constable Leigh at the Kaikohe station on (09) 405 2960.