Counties Manukau Police are asking all truckies and other operators of commercial vehicles to take extra precautions to protect their property following a spate of burglaries recently.
“Truck batteries have been targeted in Manurewa and are being sold to second-hand parts dealers,” says Detective Sergeant Gareth Brown of Manurewa Police. “As many as thirty batteries have been taken in the past four weeks, stolen in overnight burglaries from commercial premises.”
Police are working closely with second-hand dealers to identify those who are stealing and attempting to sell the stolen batteries.
“Knowingly receiving stolen property is a crime,” says Detective Sergeant Brown. “We urge members of the public to remember that if you are approached with a deal that sounds too good to be true it probably is.”
Police urge owners of trucks and commercial vehicles to distinctly mark batteries with names or company logos to ensure they are easily identifyable.
“A unique mark on a battery will help us to identify it as stolen and will ensure that if it is recovered it can be returned to its rightful owner,” says Detective Sergeant Brown. “Our work with second-hand dealers throughout Auckland is allowing us to target offenders and reduce the trade of stolen property and we value their cooperation.
“Anyone with information on stolen truck batteries or any other incident involving stolen property is asked to to come forward by contacting Crimestoppers anonymously.”
Anyone with information on truck batteries or other stolen property should contact Counties Manukau Police on 09 261 1300. Information can be provided anonymously to the organisation Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Issued by Kimberley Mathews/Communications Manager, Counties Manukau Police
021 192 0717