Vehicle Thefts and Overnight Crime Hit Katikati in Late May

Katikati Police have reported a spate of vehicle thefts and attempted thefts overnight on 23 May, marking an otherwise quieter-than-usual week for local officers. Two vehicles were stolen in separate incidents — a Nissan Tiida taken from Beach Rd and another from Clive Rd — with both recovered abandoned in Waihi the following morning. Attempts were also made to steal a Mazda Atenza from Park Rd and a Mazda Demio from another Park Rd address.

Earlier in May, several hundred dollars' worth of clothing was stolen from a Te Puna retail store, and a number of plants were taken from Te Puna Quarry Park, with police following a positive line of enquiry in that case.

Police are reminding residents to lock their vehicles and look out for their neighbours. Anyone who witnesses a crime in progress is asked to call 111, or 105 to report an incident after the fact.

Originally published in Katikati News (Sun Media).