Katikati police report: tools stolen, burnouts, and vehicle thefts across the district

A busy fortnight for local police saw a string of incidents across the Katikati and Western Bay area. In the early hours of 5 February, offenders broke into a commercial yard on State Highway 2 at Tahawai and stole a quantity of Makita tools, two Husqvarna chainsaws, battery pole saws and petrol. The following day, holes were found deliberately made in the synthetic bowling green at the Katikati Bowling Club.

Several vehicle thefts and unlawful takings were recorded during the period. A Ford Fiesta was stolen from a rural property at Te Puna on 10 February and recovered abandoned nearby after being pushed through an orchard. Two Tauranga youths, aged 16 and 17, were apprehended and charged with unlawfully taking a Toyota Corolla from Margaret Drive, Ōmokoroa on 11 February after the vehicle was road-spiked in Waihi with assistance from a dog handler. A silver Toyota Alteza was also reported stolen from Park Rd, Katikati on 12 February.

Police also dealt with a number of burnout-related incidents, with two youths apprehended at Minden Rd on 11 February and a 17-year-old referred to Youth Aid after burnouts on Youngson and Whakamārama roads on 14 February. A 23-year-old Katikati man was charged with excess breath alcohol after being stopped on Carisbrooke Street on 15 February. Sergeant Steve Hindmarsh reminds the community: if you see something, say something — call 111 for incidents in progress or 105 after the event.

Originally published in Katikati News (Sun Media).