Joyriding thieves crash stolen hearse

Collingwood Funeral Home co-owner Mike Lee with the smashed up hearse. Photo/supplied

A Rotorua funeral home owner is astonished thieves broke into his business and stole the keys to the hearse and took it on a high-speed joyride, crashing into a power pole and fence.

The Collingwood Funeral Home on Pretoria St was broken into early this morning and the keys to the Holden Commodore hearse taken.

Rotorua police crime prevention manager Inspector Stuart Nightingale said the vehicle was driven at high speed along Te Ngae Rd.

He said it eventually lost control, crossed the centre line and crashed into a power pole and then through a farm fence near the intersection with Lee Rd.

Mr Nightingale said police dogs were sent out at 3.45am and tracked a scent back to a house nearby. A man aged 31 has been charged and a 13-year-old has been referred to the police's youth aid section.

The Collingwood Funeral Home hearse that was stolen and written off overnight. Photo/supplied

Collingwood Funeral Home co-owner Todd Gower said he and his business partner Mike Lee couldn't believe someone would steal a hearse.

He said replacing a hearse wasn't as easy as buying another car but thankfully colleagues in Tauranga had offered to lend them another vehicle until they could get it replaced.

Mr Gower said the hearse was a write-off and they would now have to buy and refit another vehicle with the rear deck and locking mechanisms.

He said the business was less than three years old and they were working hard to provide a good service.

"This is a backward step and left us feeling despondent ... No one can believe someone has stolen a vehicle from a funeral home. [Hearses] are used to help families in times of need."

From police:
• Victoria and Koutu are current targets for thefts
• Groups of young people are active in Rotorua's central city
• If you see something suspicious ring 111 immediately
• If you have information for police ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.