Police Notebook: Jewellery targeted in residential burglaries

This ring was stolen during a residential burglary in Rotorua last week. Photo/supplied

Burglars targeting expensive and different pieces of jewellery are active in Rotorua, police say.

Rotorua police crime prevention manager Inspector Brendon Keenan said there had been a rise in burglaries during the past week.

There were 19 residential burglaries from last Saturday (Easter weekend) to Friday, compared with 13 the previous week. There were 22 commercial burglaries compared with 15 the previous week.

Keenan said jewellery had been targeted at homes on Hilton Rd, Devon St, Ranolf St, Herewini St and Old Taupo Rd. Most happened between 7am and 3.30pm.

Overall, there were 164 offences reported to police during the past week, an increase of 6 per cent.

Up to no good

Police are concerned about the amount of criminal activity they are stumbling on by accident.

Keenan said police had noticed a marked increase in the number of drugs - including cannabis, methamphetamine and paraphernalia used to smoke the drugs - found while carrying out routine checks.

Keenan said police had also found suspicious amounts of cash and firearms during recent unrelated callouts.

Cheeky thief

A Rotorua hardware store had two loads of building materials stolen after a vehicle drove into the loading area and occupants helped themselves.

They returned 10 minutes later and did the same thing.

A staff member approached the driver and asked what they were doing and the offender said "this stuff is for free".

Police have the make and model of the vehicle involved.

Road policing

During the past week, 201 vehicles have been stopped by police.

Most were for what police call the "fatal five". These are speeding, not wearing restraints, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, driving while distracted and dangerous or careless driving.

Keenan said there had been an increase in complaints of people driving on trail bikes.

"Most of the time they are hooning around without helmets and are unlicensed or young drivers."

Stolen cars

The following cars have been stolen during the past week.

A gold 1997 Nissan March registration BQU633 was stolen from Fenton St, a silver Toyota Qualis registration CLM132 was stolen from School Rd in Ngongotaha, a 1998 white Toyota Hiace registration DKZ68 was stolen from Amohau St, a 2003 white Nissan Sunny registration EGQ432 was stolen from Elizabeth St.

Any information can be given to Rotorua police on (07) 348 0099 or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on (0800 555 111).