'Cunning' thief burgles Waikato home in broad daylight

Images from security cameras show the bearded burglar. Photo / NZ Police

Residents are being warned to be on their guard after a "cunning" thief managed to burgle a Hamilton home in broad daylight yesterday.

Police were investigating after a Peacockes Rd home was burgled around 11am, Sergeant Jono Clark of the Waikato Tactical Crime Unit said.

The burglar managed to escape with a safe containing valuables and important documents, he said.

The bearded burglar then removed his orange jacket. Photo / NZ Police

"Initially the burglar has driven up the driveway and knocked on the door wearing a long-sleeve orange hi-vis jacket," Mr Clark said.

"This is quite a cunning move because frequently people can mistake hi-vis clothing for some type of official function, believing someone who is wearing clothing of this type would draw attention to themselves, so therefore they are less likely to be suspicious."

Images from security cameras showed the bearded burglar then removed his orange jacket, he said.

The offender was dressed in a black baseball cap with a grey peak and light coloured circular logo on its front, dark jeans or trousers and a black T-shirt with a red logo on the front, Mr Clark said.

"The male has entered the victim's home and removed a safe which contained a number of passports, important paperwork and a sum of cash.

"He has then driven off in his dark coloured two-door car. Unfortunately we are yet to recover the vehicle's registration number from the security footage."

While most people would assume anyone wearing hi-vis safety clothing had honest intent, residents should remember to stick to the basics and not be complacent, Mr Clark said.

"All reputable contractors, delivery drivers or couriers, meter readers and other workers will have photo identification on them and welcome enquiries from residents seeking to verify a person's bonafides.

"Usually your gut instinct is correct. If you see someone on a property who looks out of place, regardless of their attire, you're probably right and you should ask them for identification. If it still doesn't seem right then don't hesitate to call police on 111."

Police asked anyone who recognised the man in the photo to contact the Hamilton Central Police Station on 07 858 6200, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.