Raglan Police have advised that a car was stolen from outside the Raglan Westpac on Wednesday 25th while the driver was using the ATM. The car has been found and the thieves caught.
The theft followed a car theft in Hamilton when an elderly woman had her car taken by four people along Avalon Dr, Nawton, about 5.40am when she stopped while making deliveries. The woman was dragged out of her car after she was asked for the time by the group.
Detective Sergeant Nick O’Brien, of the Hamilton CIB, said after pulling her out of her vehicle the group of young men and women sped off along Avalon Dr. He added that the group then drove to Raglan where another woman had her stolen.
“The offenders arrived in Raglan and noticed a woman leave the keys in her car when she parked her Skoda Octavia on Bow Street and went to sue the ATM at the bank. Two of the offenders got out of the Toyota and into the Skoda and both cars headed back to Hamilton via State Highway 23 however they were intercepted by police. After a short pursuit both cars were stopped and the offenders apprehended.”
Det Sgt O’Brien said one male and one female appeared in the Hamilton Youth Court yesterday in connection with the thefts, while an older female would in the district court today.
“A fourth female will appear in the district court next week. While it was pretty good to be able to return the first victim’s car to her relatively unscathed we have some concerns we want to raise with the parents of the four teenagers around their access to alcohol and supervision.
“The other issue is we’re asking drivers avoid leaving their cars unlocked with the keys in it. Our message around valuables in cars, and the vehicles themselves, is lock them or lose them.”