Northland District Headquarters
Walton Plaza, Whangarei

August 2, 2013

Stolen boats in Whangarei

Police are asking boat owners to secure their boats after several boats and outboard motors had been stolen in recent weeks around the Whangarei/Kaipara area.

In the last two weeks five outboard motors had been stolen off boats in the area, including Matapouri, Tūtūkākā and Dargaville.

The thieves have been carrying out their crimes during the night and targeting boats that have been parked on driveways.

In one incident the boat was stolen and later recovered minus its outboard motor. The motor was located a short while later.

In the last two days there have been two more attempts to steal boats. One incident occurred in the Maunu area. The other incident occurred in Onerahi in the early hours of this morning. The boat owner disturbed the thieves as they were attempting to unhook his boat.

In light of the recent thefts Police are asking boat owners to secure their boats through using wheel clamps on their boats or tow bar locking systems.

Boat owners are also urged to take out gear such as lifejackets and petrol tanks and store them in a locked garage or shed.

They also ask anyone who notices people acting suspiciously in their neighbourhoods to contact Police on 111.

If anyone has information on these crimes they can also contact their local Police station or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

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