Ōmakau burglary: Police appeal for sightings after ute stolen with dogs inside

An Otago man whose ute was stolen with his dogs still inside says he hopes the burglar has given the dogs water.

Jacob Nolan said he had stopped in at a friend’s house in Ōmakau around 1pm yesterday to wish him a happy new year when the incident occurred.

“I pulled up there and I turned the truck off, took the keys out and put them in the cupholder as I always do,” he said.

“I went inside and before I even sat down, old mate was in the truck and gone.”

Nolan said he was confused as he watched the burglar enter the vehicle and start the car.

“I got a glimpse of him but it all happened so fast,” he said.

Jacob Nolan's dogs were seen in Tekapo this afternoon. Photo / Supplied

Central Otago Police today appealed for the public’s help to find the white Holden Colorado pickup and dogs, a blue heeler named Nala and a black huntaway cross named Jock.

Nolan said he’s had the five and nine-year-old dogs since they were born and considers them family.

“They’re placid as, they’d never hurt anyone,” he said.

Jacob Nolan's dogs have been missing for more than 24 hours. Photo / Supplied

Nolan said he had received an update from police this afternoon confirming that the ute had been seen in Tekapo with the dogs still in the back.

“They’ve been in that canopy for 24 hours, hopefully he’s given them water,” Nolan said.

A trailer that was attached to the ute had since been found.

Police are requesting the public's help to locate this stolen ute. Photo / Police

The stolen dogs' owner has posted this photo of them on Facebook, Jock, left, and Nala.

Another vehicle, taken in a separate burglary, was found dumped near Ōmakau, Sergeant Regan Price of the Cromwell police said.

Police said anyone who may have witnessed either incident, has footage of the vehicles or information on where the dogs are, can contact them on 105 and use the reference number 260103/4368.

The public can also report information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.