Stolen police equipment recovered from Te Awamutu thefts

Officers in the Waikato have recovered a cache of stolen police-issue equipment.

Officers investigating a spate of burglaries and thefts in the Waikato - including a burglary at the Te Awamutu Police station - have recovered a stash of police-issue equipment; including pepper spray, stab-resistant body armour, two batons, handcuffs and a police identity card.

Police confirmed on Saturday night they had arrested two people as part of the investigation.

As a result of information from the public about suspicious behaviour in the Te Awamutu a 24-year-old man was arrested on Thursday and has been remanded in custody, police said in a statement.

He will face a range of dishonesty charges including five counts of burglary and four of unlawful interference with a motor vehicle.

Police today carried out three search warrants on addresses in Te Awamutu and Hamilton. These resulted in the arrest of a 22-year-old woman, who has been charged with receiving stolen goods.

Police said two shirts and a police tunic are still missing.

"I would like to reassure the community that we believe this spate of burglaries was committed by one recidivist offender and the spike in offending has abated since his arrest," said area commander Inspector Naila Hassan.

"I would also like to thank our police staff who have worked tirelessly to apprehend this offender who has caused so much harm to our community in Te Awamutu over the space of a few days. I am very proud of them."

Waikato police are still appealing to the public for any information about the location of the outstanding police items.

Anyone with information was asked to call police on (07) 858 6200 or report via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.