10-year-old sought over burglary

Police are looking for a 10-year-old boy who they believe helped two people break into a house in Napier. Photo / Thinkstock

Police are looking for a 10-year-old boy who they believe acted as a "gate opener" for a man and a teenager who were tracked and arrested after a housebreak in Onekawa, Napier this week.

The arrests were the result of what Napier Law Enforcement Team Detective Sergeant Heath Jones said was "great work" by a member of the public who spotted the trio as they were walking through Onekawa Park about 2pm.

"They were walking up and down the fenceline of houses backing on to the park and were seen jumping up and down looking into the properties."

At one stage one of the group climbed a tree to peer over the fence and minutes later the 10-year-old clambered over into a Menin Rd property then opened a gate to let the other two in.

The woman who had been watching immediately dialled 111 to report what she had seen.

"We had units over in that area and they were quickly able to get there and start putting a cordon in," Mr Jones said.

With police arriving in the area the group made off - with the 10-year-old being spotted by a nearby resident walking up his driveway.

He asked the boy what he was doing and he replied he was looking for someone, then turned and walked off.

Mr Jones said it appeared the boy may have earlier stashed a bag in the garden of the property and had gone to retrieve it.

It was later found in the park - it had a laptop and a PlayStation game console in it. The property was traced to the Menin Rd house the group had smashed a window to gain access to.

A 21-year-old man and a 17-year-old youth were arrested as they tried to flee the area and were charged with burglary.

Enquiries revealed the 21-year-old was from Levin and in breach of periodic detention conditions.

The 17-year-old and the boy still being sought are locals.

"We know who he is," Mr Jones said of the 10-year-old.

Police praised the suspicions and quick calling of the woman who spotted the three.

"The public are so important as our eyes and ears - this was great work and we got a result."

The Onekawa area had been hit by a spate of burglaries over the past few weeks with police urging the public to report anything they believe may be suspicious.