One of the homes searched during the 11 day operation. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey
One of the homes searched during the 11 day operation. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey
KEY POINTS:
An Auckland-wide operation targeting the region's worst car thieves has resulted in 37 of them being arrested - and dozens of cars being returned to their rightful owners.
Inspector Jim Wilson said the arrests were made during Operation Stinger, which was launched two weeks ago after police noticeda spate of car-related crimes.
"We have been taking a few hits in relation to car crimes, especially with unlawful takings and theft from cars, so I thought it was time we revved up something a bit serious ... and put the big handbrake on it, so to speak."
A total of 11,291 vehicles - 30 a day - were reported stolen in the Auckland City, Waitemata and Counties Manukau police districts in the year to July.
The most commonly stolen models were Subaru Legacys and Imprezas, Nissan Pulsars and Bluebirds, Mazda Familias, Mitsubishi Lancers and Honda Civics.
Throughout the 11-day operation, which ended yesterday, police set up 35 checkpoints around the city - during which they stopped and checked nearly 4000 cars and issued 1000 tickets for a range of offences.
While executing search warrants, police discovered three P labs - one of which was in the back of a car - and recovered 36 stolen cars that have since been returned to their owners.
"They were really happy, absolutely delighted to get their cars back," said Mr Wilson.
A total of 72 people were arrested on a variety of offences - from car thefts to burglary and drug offences.
Mr Wilson said that 37 of those 72 people were "top 10 offenders" - people who had been nominated by each policing district as the worst car thieves in their area.
Mr Wilson said a lot of stolen property was also recovered during the operation - items such as sunglasses, handbags, iPods and radars.
"Offenders just walk along, smash a window and they are gone in under 10 seconds, so it really makes a big difference if valuables can be removed from cars, either put in the boot or locked out of sight."
