Police Notebook: Thieves breaking into houses to steal cars

Five houses were broken into at the weekend in Rotorua and outlying areas where cars were stolen after thieves first broke in to steal the keys to the cars. Photo/File

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

Car thieves are using a new tactic of breaking into people's homes to steal cars.

Five houses were broken into at the weekend in Rotorua and outlying areas where cars were stolen.

Rotorua police crime prevention manager Stuart Nightingale said it was sometimes easier for thieves to break into homes and steal keys to cars rather than breaking into a car and trying to start it without the keys.

Mr Nightingale reminded people to either hide their keys in their houses or take them with them if they were going away.

The following cars were stolen at the weekend from houses.

2004 grey Suzuki Swift stolen from Aquarius Dr in Kawaha Point, registration GCL932
2006 gold Ford Focus stolen from Homedale St in Homedale, registration GBE816
1996 red Nissan Terrano stolen from Minginui Rd, Murupara, registration ARK125
2004 silver Subaru Legacy stolen from State Highway 30 Kapenga, Horohoro, registration KMQ917
2002 blue Holden Commodore stolen from Steeles Ln in Western Heights, registration AYW335

Two burglaries over the weekend targeted unusual property that could be sold on the black market.

A house on Meade St at Whakarewarewa was broken in to and two art deco lamps, five rugs and three mink throws were stolen. A house was also broken into on Ranolf St and a black-and-gold vase stolen.

Mr Nightingale asked people to keep an eye out for the items being sold online, such as on buy, sell, swap Facebook pages.

He also reminded people that turning a blind eye to where items had come from wasn't a defence for receiving stolen property, an offence which carried a maximum of seven years' jail.

Mr Nightingale has personally paid a visit to a Rotorua woman who was burgled four times in 10 days.

Anne, who did not want her last name published for security reasons, was burgled four times in March - the thieves coming in at least twice while she was asleep in bed.

The plight of the 65-year-old, who had never been burgled before, featured in the New Zealand Herald this month.

Mr Nightingale said he visited Anne last week and helped tighten security around her home and had set her up with a Neighbourhood Support group.

"She was very encouraged and was happy to see me there because it's not often an inspector and crime prevention manager goes and visits these people themselves."