Flooding in August caused widespread damage to homes and properties across Nelson. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
A Motueka man has been charged over the burglaries of a yellow-stickered house in Nelson after the August floods.
The 32-year-old was arrested and appeared in Nelson District Court today.
The charges relate to multiple burglaries of a house in Nelson South. It was broken into three times over a number of days, with police disturbing the offenders on the third occasion.
Valuables and sentimental items were taken from the property with most of it yet to be recovered.
Detective sergeant Micaela Rolton said it was very upsetting to the victims and the wider community in the wake of flooding, which caused widespread damage to homes and properties across the region.
"Our community was dealing with a lot following the flooding - and many people are still facing many challenges," Rolton said.
"We want to reassure all members of our community that we take this type of offending very seriously, and work hard to hold those responsible to account."
In late August, an officer on a routine patrol in Nelson South came across an unoccupied vehicle containing items thought to be stolen from a slip-damaged home.
A neighbour confirmed the burglary and said it was the third time the house had been broken into in a week, despite the owners putting extra security measures in place.