KEY POINTS:
A man smashed $25,000 worth of glass at a North Shore bus station and had a mate spray-paint CCTV cameras to hide his identity.
But, as these pictures show, one camera was missed.
The man, described as "cocky", struck the Sunnynook bus station twice within minutes, using a
sledgehammer.
Constable Bruce Wilson, of the police motorways unit, told the Herald police and council staff were alarmed by the brazen attitude of the man, who is caught on camera casually lighting a cigarette at the end of his rampage.
Police are also investigating damage to at least four other bus shelters in the Sunnynook area which have a replacement value of up to $2000 each.
Security footage released by the North Shore City Council yesterday shows the man walking into the area and smashing four large glass panels with a sledgehammer about 1pm on Good Friday.
He returns minutes later without the hammer, to kick in what is left of the broken glass. He suffers a small cut.
Mr Wilson said the man returns with an associate and, in an attempt to prevent being caught, the associate spray-paints several surveillance cameras before tagging panes of glass.
The original offender then goes on to smash more windows with the sledgehammer before lighting a cigarette and walking away from the mess.
The pair become "spooked" by something and run off before security officers arrive.
"It appears to be a premeditated incident of mindless vandalism," Mr Wilson said.
North Shore Mayor Andrew Williams said it was "pointless and idiotic" vandalism, and the council would be seeking the cost of the damage once the pair had been identified.
He described the man as "cocky", adding that the pair knew there were security cameras in the area and continued causing damage.
North Shore ratepayers were not expected to fork out for the bill.
"Not only was it mindless vandalism of a valuable public facility, it was incredibly stupid to have done such a thing with security cameras recording everything they were doing. "Even their families will recognise them," Mayor Williams says.
The damage took place not long after police broke up a party nearby and it is possible the incidents are linked.
Anyone who recognises the man is asked to call Constable Bruce Wilson on (09) 526-6510 or to text-message the North Shore police confidential text line on 027-272-7669.
