Man arrested after several break-ins

Wanaka police have arrested a 21-year-old man on burglary and theft charges.

A search warrant was carried out at Wanaka property in Plantation Rd yesterday, police said.

The charges relate to several early morning break-ins to houses and vehicles during the last week of December and early January around Plantation, Hedditch, and Little Sts.

The man is to appear in the Queenstown District Court on six charges of burglary and one of theft.

Police believed there might be other victims who had not realised their houses or cars had been broken into.

"We are urging residents, particularly in the area of Plantation Rd, to check their vehicles and see if they have been entered or anything is missing," Senior Sergeant Allan Grindell, of Wanaka, said.

Every house involved was unlocked or insecure in some way, he said.

"We urge all residents to take a few simple prevention steps by making sure their address is secure by utilising locks where available, to make sure vehicles are locked and valuables are out of sight, and to consider outdoor lighting.

"Each of these steps ensures your property is less likely to be targeted by opportunistic thieves."