Tauranga police working to reunite recovered property with owners

Tauranga police are trying to find the owners of property recovered after two arrests this week. Photo / File

Tauranga police are working to identify owners of property recovered after two men were arrested this week.

In a statement released last night, police said they believed the arrests would resolve a recent spate of burglaries in the Whakamarama area.

A 27-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday after police received reports of suspicious activity at an orchard.

The man, who police say was found with a .22 rifle and methamphetamine, appeared in the Tauranga District Court yesterday morning charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of methamphetamine, being unlawfully in an enclosed yard and breaching a protection order.

Further enquires led to police to a house on Old Highway, where they found a substantial amount of stolen property believed to be linked to recent burglaries in the area.

More firearms and a suspected methamphetamine lab were also discovered.

As a result, a 42-year-old man appeared in the Tauranga District Court yesterday afternoon charged with possession for supply of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner says police are now working to identify the owners of recovered property.

"It's extremely rewarding to know that members of the local community are looking out for each other in this way. By communicating any concerns with police, we are able to resolve more crimes.

"Particularly in rural areas, communities' assistance is vital to keeping police informed on crime and helping us find offenders."