Police Notebook: 4WD vehicles eyed by thieves

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

Police say 4WD vehicles, in particular Toyota Hiluxes, are being sought by thieves in Rotorua.

Rotorua police crime prevention manager Inspector Stu Nightingale said there had been four Toyota Hiluxes stolen in Rotorua during the past two weeks.

The latest was on Friday night, which was stolen from the CBD. It's a white 2004 model with the registration H4ULGE.

Earlier in the day someone tried to steal a 2002 Mitsubishi Triton, which is also a 4WD, from the CBD.

Mr Nightingale said it was possible the same thieves were responsible.

"We want to hear from anyone who is offered cheap parts or knows of anyone using these vehicles for illegal activity in the forest. Sometimes they are using them in connection with drug offending."

Lock your bikes

A total of 36 bikes have been stolen in Rotorua during the past four weeks.

Mr Nightingale said a count of the bikes that had been reported missing since August 29 revealed there had been 36 stolen.

"A majority of these bikes are found but others aren't. Some of them are of high values in the thousands of dollars.

"It's timely to get owners to note down their serial numbers and take photos of their bikes."

Good catch

A vehicle with false number plates spotted at a service station in Rotorua in the early hours of the morning resulted in police finding drugs and stolen property belonging to tourists.

Mr Nightingale said the vehicle was spotted by a police car and a check of the registration didn't match the vehicle.

The passenger was a gang member who had a warrant for his arrest and the driver was allegedly in possession of 4.5g of methamphetamine.

Mr Nightingale said police searched the vehicle and found property belonging to Chinese tourists who had been in Rotorua.

"It was really good to return that property to the tourists. It was a very good tip out from staff and two people have been remanded in custody as a result."