Couple lose tools, vehicle in brazen lunchtime theft

Genice and Kristian Paulley-Beazley's Mazda ute was parked outside the Westfield mall in Henderson. Photo / Supplied

An Auckland couple are shocked by the theft of their distinctive trade vehicle and the thousands of dollars of specialist construction equipment it was carrying.

Genice and Kristian Paulley-Beazley of Bold Rigging say someone is bound to recognise their grey 1992 Mazda Proceed ute, which has a large, orange and black company logo with flames emblazoned on both doors.

It was stolen from the Westfield Mall carpark at Henderson late Saturday morning, while Mr Paulley-Beazley was getting lunch with his children.

Metal tool boxes on the ute deck contained tools, harnesses and ropes bought from the US and China, and were essential for the couple's rigging business.

They say the tools are of little use outside the industry.

The truck had Ngapuhi, Obama, anti-George Bush and 95bFM bumper stickers on the back, roof racks and bullbar, and a baby car seat inside.

"It's almost comical that someone's taken it," Mrs Paulley-Beazley said.

The couple have exclusive rights to all rigging work at Vector Arena and have worked on several film sets.

They have also carried out rigging projects overseas, including at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

The couple have set up a Facebook page with photos of the ute to generate interest, and are working with Westfield to obtain images from security cameras.

The truck's registration is ALA502.