Crimeline: Burglars on the rampage
Property thefts continue across the Whakatipu Basin with more than $40,000 worth of tradies' tools stolen, a holiday home cleared out and even a barbecue pinched.
Some $25,000 of tools were stolen from a garage on Andrews Road, Queenstown Hill, on Valentine's Day, 14 February, prompting an appeal for any nearby residents who might have CCTV footage.
A couple of nights before that, on Tuesday, 11 February, almost $17,000 worth of tools were stolen from a ute parked outside a home in Bridesdale Drive, Lake Hayes Estate. The victim shared a long list of Milwaukee tools stolen from his ute tray and also called for any neighbourhood CCTV footage. And power tools and batteries were stolen from another tradie’s vehicle about 400m away on Quarry Place, sometime between 10 and 15 February.
Photos of some discarded tools, left in the street, were shared on social media, and a woman says she spotted a man walking around a Haddow’s Place building site very early on February 13, who ran off when questioned.
Constable Amanda Shute says Police have received a number of recent reports of tools being stolen from vehicles and are encouraging anyone purchasing tools via online sites like Facebook Marketplace and other trading sites to be “vigilant about the origin of those tools”.
“Lock your doors and remove any valuables from vehicles,” Shute says.
Sergeant Tracy Haggart says it’s vital that people report thefts and any suspicious behaviour to Police immediately and watch out for neighbours’ property.
Holiday home burgled
Household items worth $2500 were cleaned out from an Arrowtown holiday home sometime between 1-6 February.
The house is only occasionally occupied, so the crime was not reported to police until Monday this week, 17 February, and neighbours hadn’t noticed anything untoward.
Everything from couches to cutlery were stolen in that burglary, while another Arrowtown resident posted on social media that his barbecue had been stolen from his front deck in full street view.
Arrowtown Community Facebook page administrator Gemma Ross says residents are starting to take more precautions, not just over the peak holiday season. They’re also keeping a better look out for their neighbours.
Haggart says social media is a great tool for the public to let their communities know about things happening in their area and to help keep themselves safe.
“However, we also stress that it’s very important to report any incidents of property damaged, items stolen or suspicious activity to Police,” she says. This can be done by phoning 105, Crime Reporting Line, reporting online at www.police.govt.nz or by making a statement at the station.
“If you witness suspicious activity happening at the time, please ring 111 immediately and provide as much detail as you can with a good description of the people or vehicle seen, their actions and direction of travel if they leave,” Haggart says.
“Police will do their best to get there as soon as possible and that may mean locating the people involved and/or preventing any further incidents from occurring in the area at that time.”
Late night assault
A 28-year-old male tourist has been charged with assault after Police were called to a late-night incident on Camp Street at 3.40am on Monday, 17 February, the result of a disagreement over money at Searle Lane Bar. Shute says two separate groups left the bar, there was a small disorder then the two groups separated.
“Two males from the group have met again and the pair have had an initial verbal exchange before one of them has allegedly punched the other male in the face causing him to fall to the ground.” The 28-year-old has been charged with assault and will appear in the Queenstown District Court on 24 March.
Police traffic stops
A 27-year-old local man, who is a disqualified driver, was stopped by Police on State Highway 6 just before 11am on Monday, 17 February. The vehicle was impounded, and the driver was charged and will appear in the Queenstown District Court on 28 February.
And a 34-year-old local man will appear in court charged with drink driving after being stopped Ladies Mile, 7.21am, 16 February. He allegedly below 599mcg / l breath. The legal limit is 250mcg/l.
Patient airlifted from Brecon Street
The Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter and St John attended an accident on Brecon Street at 4.45pm on Monday, 17 February, airlifting one patient in a moderate condition to Lakes District Hospital. They were called back several hours later to another accident in Queenstown. As yet details are unavailable.
