Foodbank imposter steals donations

Henry Stechman, Wairarapa Fire Service assistant area commander, believes sirens and uniformed officers could have scared away a Foodbank appeal imposter on Wednesday night.

An "unscrupulous opportunist" who faked involvement in the annual Masterton Foodbank appeal may have fled in the face of blaring sirens and uniformed officers, says an appeal co-ordinator.

Henry Stechman, Wairarapa Fire Service assistant area commander, said he had been told a couple of donors had spotted a man, believed to be driving a white Holden, who was collecting food on Wednesday night but was not connected with the official appeal.

"It appears there was some unscrupulous opportunist out there taking advantage of the situation," Mr Stechman said.

He was unsure in what part of the town the imposter had been sighted but the man had apparently vanished as quickly as he appeared.

"Maybe it was all the sirens and officers that scared him off.

"Whatever the case may be, it's very disappointing but can't really take away from what was one of the best appeals so far."

Masterton police Sergeant Mike Sutton said he also had been told of the imposter intercepting donations and agreed the behaviour was disappointing.

He urged members of the public to call police if they had spotted the man or had any information about him.