Beauty queen's tiara stolen

A night that started out as one of absolute jubilation for newly crowned Miss Universe-Tauranga Kerri Fowke ended on a really sour note.

Just hours after the 18-year-old Fraser Cove resident was crowned at Baycourt on Saturday night, a thief broke into her car and stole her 4.5cm-high jewelled tiara made in New York, and her sash emblazoned with Miss Universe-Tauranga 2005 Winner.

The thief also stole a suitcase full of clothes.

"I was so overjoyed to win and still can't believe someone would be so mean as to take my crown. I'm extremely disappointed, not so much for myself but for the pageant organisers."

Miss Fowke said she immediately reported the break-in to police but so far there were no leads.

Luckily, her other prizes, including her $1295 diamond set watch, went home with her mother.

On a much sweeter note, winning the title of Miss Universe-Tauranga means Miss Fowke now has the chance to compete in the Miss Universe NZ pageant in Auckland this March, the ultimate winner going on to compete in Donald Trump's Miss Universe show.

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES