New Zealand / Crime

Police urge people to secure valuables, after stolen property found in Christchurch

15:08 pm on 26 August 2022

[s}Police are urging people to carefully secure their valuables, after recovering a haul of stolen property in Christchurch.

Police are urging people to carefully secure their valuables, after recovering a haul of stolen property in Christchurch.

Tens of thousands of dollars of stolen property, linked to several recent thefts in Christchurch, was found following the arrest of a 36-year-old man, Detective Senior Sergeant Colin Baillie said.

Following the arrest, police searched container yards on Wedneday and located the stolen property.

A second man, aged 27, has also been arrested.

Police enquiries found the alleged offenders were stealing to order or attempting to sell items on Facebook Marketplace.

"Anyone searching Facebook Marketplace or elsewhere online for a bargain should be extremely cautious," Baillie said.

"If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. On-sold stolen items may be seized by police and the purchaser left out of pocket."

Baillie said there were a few simple actions that could help keep property safe.

These included locking your vehicle, removing tools or other valuables from your vehicle, securing new builds as whiteware and other high-value items are installed, and being mindful of how you carry and where you leave items such as laptops, bank cards and phones.

The two arrested men have been charged with a number of burglaries, theft from vehicles and using stolen credit cards.

The 36-year-old was remanded in custody and is scheduled to reappear on 14 September, while the 27-year-old is expected to appear tomorrow.

Police said inquiries were continuing into burglaries and thefts in the area.