Medical supplies taken from Otago air ambulance recovered in ‘trove of stolen items’

Constable Ashley Wilson with property stolen from an air ambulance helicopter, and other burglaries.

• A Dunedin man accused of stealing lifesaving drugs from an air ambulance now faces more charges.
• The theft posed significant risks, with potentially fatal consequences for ambulance patients, police said.
• All of the items from the air ambulance have been recovered, including a trove of other stolen items from other burglaries.

Police investigating the theft of critical life-saving drugs from an air ambulance helicopter in Mosgiel have recovered a stolen medical bag amid a trove of items taken in other burglaries.

An investigation into the air ambulance burglary has been under way since January 12 - leading to a search warrant at a Dunedin address yesterday afternoon.

Constable Ashley Wilson said the stolen items are believed to have been taken during burglaries of “multiple commercial and residential properties in early January this year”.

“A bag containing medical equipment was found in the large amount of stolen property, and it is believed all items in the bag have been recovered,” said Wilson.

The property came from stores including Torpedo Seven, Off the Chain Bike Shop, Chisholm Park Golf Shop, Cash Converters, and 2Degrees.

“Many other stolen items are yet to be identified and returned to their respective stores,” Wilson said.

A 31-year-old man was arrested in Dunedin on January 15 after three burglaries, including the air ambulance helicopter.

Police say further charges are likely.

The 31-year-old will reappear on February 4 in Dunedin District Court.