KEY POINTS:
A pair of tourists have been arrested for allegedly stealing purses from elderly women.
They were held by police after they crashed their car near Waitara.
The Romanian couple are in the country on visitor's permits. Police allege they were involved in a string of offences from Pukekohe to the Kapiti Coast.
Alexandra Marius Mihaita and Daniela Vasile will appear in the New Plymouth District Court on tomorrow facing 30 joint charges mostly relating to the theft and use of stolen ATM cards.
"Their M.O. was to target old ladies, shoulder surf their ATM PIN numbers then follow their victims until they could steal the women's purses without the victims knowledge," Detective Scott said.
The tourists were caught after crashing their car near Waitara, he said.
"After the crash they were taken back to New Plymouth to recuperate and an officer noticed their descriptions matched those of two people wanted for a recent offence in our district," Detective Scott said.
Police allege the couple stole from elderly women in the Counties-Manukau, Waikato, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Ohakune and Taranaki regions and are expecting more victims to come forward.
Anyone with further information on the pair's activities is asked to contact Detective Scott at the New Plymouth police station on 06 759 5500.
