Source: New Zealand Police
Please attribute the following to Sergeant Mike Palmer, Waikato Police:
A man’s been arrested in Hamilton in relation to a series of burglaries of tools worth more than $40,000.
The 36-year-old is due in Hamilton District Court today on three charges of burglary. Additional charges are being considered.
The burglaries, targeting tools in the industrial Te Rapa area of Hamilton, were reported on 2, 4, and 13 February.
The arrest follows investigation by the Waikato Tactical Crime Unit. The tools were valued at more than $44,000. Some of the tools were on-sold, and Police are working to recover them so we can get them back to their rightful owner.
Police recommend businesses consider crime prevention methods to reduce the risk of burglary.
Quality CCTV, alarm systems, engraving tools and accurately recording serial numbers helps Police in investigating burglaries in the unfortunate event they occur.
Tools can be expensive and hard to replace. To reunite stolen tools with their rightful owner we need to identify unique features, so we encourage businesses and tradies to take the time engraving their tools and recording serial numbers.
If you are aware of, or come across, tools that may have been stolen please let Police know via our 105 service. Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or https://crimestoppers-nz.org/
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
