Aussie sailors accused of Taranaki digger joyride

Three Australian sailors are facing charges after allegedly stealing a digger and causing $30,000 damage.

The trio, all marine technicians aged 22, 23 and 28, were picked up by police in the early hours of Monday morning after smashing a truck with a digger and wedging a tractor on a concrete ramp at New Plymouth's new Huatoki Plaza, the Taranaki Daily News reported.

The sailors were from the Royal Australian Navy ship Kanimbla, which was berthed at Port Taranaki over the weekend.

Senior Sergeant Selwyn Wansbrough said police received a complaint about 12.30am and the "slightly intoxicated" trio were found a short time later.

They were arrested and jointly charged with unlawfully taking a motor vehicle and unlawfully interfering with a motor vehicle and then released into the custody of the navy.

The ship sailed for Napier on Monday but the sailors will have to return to appear in New Plymouth District Court on April 2.

- NZPA