Police Notebook: Be on the lookout for black market cigarettes and tobacco

The following incidents were reported to Rotorua police during the past few days:

A large amount of cigarettes and tobacco was stolen from a store in Ngongotaha at the weekend, prompting police to warn the stolen items might now be offered on the blackmarket.

Rotorua police crime prevention manager Inspector Stuart Nightingale said the thieves forced open a door in the early hours of Sunday and targeted the cigarettes and tobacco.

"It is a significant burglary and a problem for the business to have these items stolen so we are asking locals to let us know if they are offered cheap cigarettes or tobacco for sale."

Look out for stolen goods

A women's mountain bike valued at $1500 was taken from a garage by an opportunist thief in Ngongotaha on Sunday night

The sky blue Trex Carlie women's mountain bike was taken from an unlocked garage on Western Rd.

A laptop was stolen from a medical business on Pukaki St overnight on Wednesday last week.

Mr Nightingale said a window was broken to get into the premises.

A grey 2000 Toyota Altezza registered HMM21 was stolen from Garnet Pl in the Pukehangi area on Sunday.

If you know where these items are, call police on 0800 Crimestoppers.

Lock it or lose it

Thieves have been preying on cars parked on Fairy Springs Rd at the weekend.

Two cars were broken into on Sunday, one outside Wendy's and the other outside Countdown, and valuables were stolen.

"It's a good reminder to lock your cars and if you have valuables inside, make sure they are not visible."

Suspicious behaviour

Residents on Pohutukawa Dr are again being targeted by burglars.

In recent weeks police had been enjoying fewer burglaries but two have been reported on Pohutukawa Dr, on the eastern side of Rotorua, in the past few days.

"We want to build some resilience with the community and help the public so as soon as they see people casing out properties, please call us."

Good catches

Routine stops made by police have resulted in two arrests.

A vehicle was stopped by frontline at the weekend and found a man who was wanted for an aggravated robbery at a Steeles Ln house in July this year.

Another routine stop on Tania Cres at the weekend resulted in a man being arrested for possessing methamphetamine, possession of a weapon and possession of ammunition.

Mr Nightingale said Rotorua police currently had a few staff members who were on light duties following medical surgeries.

They were being tasked with doing paperwork for frontline staff, which meant there were more staff on the street and available to do checkpoints.