Man's Mercedes Benz stolen twice in one night

A Palmerston North businessman will be thinking carefully about returning to Napier after having his car stolen twice in the same night.

Police are still looking for the late model Mercedes Benz which was taken from outside a motel in Napier where its owner was attending a bridge event.

The man parked his car with keys in the ignition while he went into his unit around 8pm.

He returned soon after to see his car being driven away. As he chased after the vehicle, it stopped about 20 metres away and the driver ran off with the keys.

"The owner had a company come to immobilise the car and remove its computer, but the thief returned and stole the car again," a police spokeswoman said.

She said it was unclear how the car was started again despite being immobilised.

"I think the owner would like to know that too."

- NZPA