Media Release: NZ Police, 24 December 2013
All in a days work is how Waikato Police describe their efforts at returning stolen Christmas presents to their rightful owners after a burglary ring in Raglan was broken yesterday.
Officer in charge of Raglan and Ngaruawahia Police, Sergeant Neil Mouncher said local officers joined with Hamilton based Tactical Crime Unit members to apply a District wide solution to a spike in burglaries and thefts from cars in Raglan over recent weeks.
“As a result of our enquiries we searched a Violet St property in Raglan yesterday and arrested two young men including one who was wanted on existing warrants.
“Items recovered included three televisions, gaming consoles and games, jewellery and foreign currency including sums of Indonesian and Malaysian money.”
Mr Mouncher said the enquiry originated from the burglary of two Raglan homes but revealed several more had fallen victim including three broken into on Monday night.
“We’re looking at the possibility the two men may be linked to at least 12 burglaries.
“Among items recovered are boxes and bags of Christmas presents that have been unwrapped by the offenders including new underwear one victim recognised as only having just bought to give to her young son for Christmas. Other items included games, chocolates and other clothing.”
Mr Mouncher said the challenge for Police now was to marry up the reports from victims of items stolen to those recovered and try and get at least the presents back in time for Christmas.
“In situations such as this, at least as far as electronics and jewellery are concerned, if the owners had loaded the serial numbers or images of the property on databases, such as Operation SNAP (www.snap.org.nz/), this task could be completed that sooner than if not.
“While happy to have solved these burglary cases we would far prefer not to have seen people victimised in the first place. To that end we urge people not to leave doors and windows unsecured, advise neighbours if you’re going away over the holidays and avoid advertising what you got for Christmas by leaving boxes or wrapping out on the road with the rubbish. But above all else have a merry and safe Christmas.”