Thieves steal to order

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 430, 31 March 1992, Page 1

Thieves steal to order

Waimarino police are concerned at the alarming number of organised burglaries now occurring in the area and have called on people to take more care to keep an eye out for suspicious activity. "Since the beginning of March the number and nature of burglaries to holiday homes in the Ohakune and Raetihi areas has increased dramatically," said constable Brian Wilson. 'The offenders have been turning off the power to houses, entering them and removing fridges, electric stoves and washing machines and driers as well as other household items such as linen, crockery and food, beds and other furniture." "The number of these offences occuring clearly indicate a organised group of offenders stealing household items to order." The Turoa Village, Miro Park, Southridge and isolated holiday homes have been targeted as well as two houses in Raetihi. To date Police have been advised of at least nine stoves, five fridge/freezers, seven televisions, three dishwashers, five households of bedding, three of these including the beds, eight microwave ovens, three clothes dryers, three lounge suites, and one washing machine. "Unfortunately this type of criminal offending is quickly spreading throughout New Zealand. Waiheke Island, Huntly, Ngatea, Otaki and Waverly all similar targeted areas." 'The biggest danger we can fall into however, is to accept this as being par for the course. The offenders for these burglaries are persons who are totally anti-social and have no interest in the good of our towns or the people who live in them." Mr Wilson said he finds it hard to believe that these people haven't been seen by someone, committing these offences, or that some good member of the public cannot assist the police with stopping them. "I strongly urge any person who can assist the police to contact me at their leisure. I assure them their information will be treated in confidence," said Mr Wilson. "Police alone cannot stop criminal offending. We need the help of the public."