Havelock North berry heist: Truckload of strawberries stolen from grower

Bay Blue owner Marian Hirst has urged anyone with information to come forward. She is pictured with her delicious Bay Blue strawberries. Photo / Paul Taylor

A truckload of strawberries has been stolen from a Havelock North grower during a midnight heist.

Bay Blue, which is best known for its blueberries and operates orchards and berry farms in Hastings and Havelock North, was targeted last month for its premium strawberries.

Their berry farm on Te Mata Mangateretere Rd in Havelock North was raided between 11pm and midnight on Tuesday, November 16, resulting in a large amount of strawberries being stolen.

Bay Blue owner Marian Hirst is now asking for anyone with information to contact police, who are investigating the heist.

She said the thieves picked the strawberries straight from the plants, and she estimated there could have been up to 10 pickers involved.

She did not specify how much was taken nor how much it was worth but said it was a "significant amount" and she suspected it was taken to be sold on.

She said a neighbour spotted a large truck with blue lights on the back pulling onto the property that night, before several people got out with flashlights.

A large amount of Bay Blue strawberries have been stolen. Photo / Paul Taylor

"They came in a large vehicle and there were a number of people with lights.

"They cleaned out the crops. They picked the ripe and the unripe ... they took everything. They stripped the plants."

Hirst said they had suffered petty theft in the weeks leading up to the incident but that "escalated to a managed theft".

She said they increased security after that night and they were now installing CCTV onsite. She said they had CCTV at other orchards and berry farms.

The company was not insured for the loss.

"In a year when we are all struggling after two tough harvest seasons, it is pretty cruel to be stealing premium fruit."

Hirst said the stolen strawberries will no doubt all be gone by now but she urged anyone with information to come forward.

"Bay Blue strawberries are a distinctive flavour, they are a premium berry," she said.

"People come for our berries [from all over], so if they do happen to find them for sale somewhere, they will know that they are ours."

She also said they were large berries.

If you have any information that could help police with their investigation contact Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. Hirst thanked the police for their support and investigation.