Northland District Headquarters
88 Cameron Street, Whangärei
Thursday April 10, 2014
Police caught two burglars in the early this morning following some innovative use of an iPhone.
About 10pm last night the Stakeout Bar and Grill restaurant in Bank Street, Whangärei was broken into.
Police attended the scene, but the offenders had left.
One of the officers took a photo of the CCTV footage showing the offenders breaking into the restaurant.
He then sent the photo to all other staff on duty that night. The police dog handler tracked the offenders, but couldn't
locate them.
About five hours later some other police staff were patrolling the Regent area and recognised one of the offenders in
the photo. She was among a group of five other people.
The group was taken back to the Whangärei Police Station and as a result of inquiries two girls, aged 14 and 15 years,
were arrested.
Whangärei Area Prevention Manager Senior Sergeant Cliff Metcalfe says this is a great use of the mobility devices that
have been issued to police.
"Instead of waiting two or three days to have CCTV footage downloaded and then sent to staff to see if they recognise
the offenders, we can do it in the field instantly.
"This was an innovative use of an iPhone, which led to a good result. We are likely to clear a number of burglaries as a
result of our staff's efforts."
ENDS