Katikati Police Report Burglaries, Scams and Domestic Violence

Katikati Police Sergeant Steve Hindmarsh has flagged a busy month of criminal activity across the district, with a series of burglaries, phone scams and domestic violence incidents keeping officers occupied through early-to-mid July.

Burglaries included a break-in at a newly built home on Beach Rd where plumbing gear was taken, a boat and outboard motor stolen from Rea Rd, and a laptop taken from a Tīnopai Place dwelling in Ōmokoroa during daylight hours. A number of shoe thefts were also reported around the Katikati area, with a 14-year-old male being investigated in connection with several incidents.

Sergent Hindmarsh also warned the community about ongoing phone fraud, including cold-callers posing as Kiwibank and BNZ staff claiming bank accounts had been compromised — in at least two cases, substantial sums of money were stolen. Fake texts purporting to be from Police or NZTA demanding payment of unpaid tolls via a link were also circulating. He urged residents to look out for their neighbours and report anything suspicious.

Originally published in Katikati News (Sun Media).