Two people have been arrested following a number of recent service station burglaries in Whangarei.
Police have been investigating a series of burglaries in Parua Bay and Ruakaka since cigarettes were targeted at the GAS Petrol Station Ruakaka on May 22. The theft was followed by the burglary of Parua Bay Gas Service Station on July 6, where thieves allegedly smashed the front window of the shop and made off with cigarettes. And during a burglary of Marsden Point GAS, thieves allegedly made off with cash and vouchers after attempting to break into the secure cigarette cabinet early on July 14.
A 19-year-old man has been arrested and charged with three counts of burglary in relation to the service stations, as well as other dishonesty offences, and a 19-year-old woman has been charged with one count of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle and one of using a document.
"Some very good police work, helped by useful information from the public, led us to these offenders. We're always grateful to the community when they report suspicious behaviour to us - it helps us take offenders off the streets," said Detective Senior Sergeant Dene Begbie.
The two 19 year olds will appear in the Whangarei District Court on Tuesday, August 2. Police inquiries are ongoing to establish whether any other offenders, or offences, are involved in this investigation.