A senior Hamilton Police officer says relatively new technology that led to the recovery of a stolen work van could offer businesses a cost effective theft deterrent and prevent them from becoming victims of crime.
Shift manager, Senior Sergeant Dave Litton, said the call comes following the successful recovery of a stolen glazier's van and the arrest of an offender yesterday.
"The van was stolen from a Montgomery Cres address on Sunday night but the vehicle was equipped with GPS and the victim was able to track it on his computer where it was located on the side of the road on Hibiscus Ave, albeit missing expensive tools and scaffolding and ladders.
"The victim was able to further aid Police by tracking back the movements of the van from where it was recovered to a location adjacent to Braemar Hospital and Ohaupo Rd between 2-4am."
Mr Litton said good ground work by two of his constables resulted in considerable assistance from the public with information on an address of interest forthcoming.
"At an Ohaupo Rd address they spoke to a 30-year-old man and found all the tools, ladders and scaffolding taken from the van.
"The man claimed he came by the tools when an unknown male came to his home and offered him the tools. Arrested, he has been charged with receiving and our enquiries are continuing."
With yesterday's recovery and arrest the fourth of its kind in the Waikato this year, Mr Litton suggested installing GPS equipment in company vehicles is a cost effective crime deterrent.
"We've already seen the introduction of invisible synthetic DNA to mark valuables, Crimestoppers that allows the public to provide information to Police while remaining anonymous and now we have technology that allows owners to track their stolen vehicle.
"It might be that thieves need to find an honest form of income before technology, and the Police, catches up with them."
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