Source: New Zealand Police
Police saw right through an alleged burglar’s excuse in Wiri, issuing him a red card to court.
A call was made to Police at 11.30pm on Monday by a security company monitoring a site on Kerrs Road.
Acting Senior Sergeant Jane Cornish, Counties Manukau Police, says an unknown man was seen on CCTV inside a commercial building.
“The building is currently under construction and units were quickly on the scene, and Eagle was overhead within minutes.”
Eagle monitored the vehicle as it began to leave the premises.
“Police staff arrived and blocked the van from leaving,” Acting Senior Sergeant Cornish says.
“The alleged offender told officers he was there to play soccer.”
With the unlikely excuse in hand Police invoked a search of the man’s vehicle.
“Inside the van was a number of industrial panel lights that matched those used in the building,” Acting Senior Sergeant Cornish says.
“A further search of the vehicle uncovered an amount of methamphetamine, cannabis and a meth pipe.”
Police then took the man into custody.
“This was a good catch by our staff who attended the scene quickly,’ Acting Senior Sergeant Cornish says.
“This man has not learnt his lesson so will now head to court and explain his actions.”
A 39-year-old man will appear in the Manukau District Court today charged with burglary, possessing methamphetamine, possessing cannabis and possessing utensils for drug use.
ENDS.
Amanda Wieneke
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/08/18/police-not-playing-ball-with-burglars-excuse/