An alleged car thief in Napier picked the wrong location to try her luck ¨C getting arrested within 10 minutes of stealing a vehicle parked opposite the Police station.
Shortly before 10am today, a courier driver was delivering a parcel to a premises on Station Street, opposite the Napier Police Station.
Senior Sergeant Su Robinson says the driver left his vehicle running, as was his usual practice, when a woman got into the vehicle and drove off with the van loaded full of parcels.
¡°The driver has urgently run into the front counter of the Police Station and let front desk staff know,¡± she says.
¡°An immediate call went out to all staff on the radio with the details, and staff have sprung into action.¡±
Officers have made area enquiries, and located both the van and the woman on Masefield Avenue.
The 27-year-old woman was arrested, and she is due in Napier District Court on 3 July charged with unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.
Senior Sergeant Robinson says the woman will also face a burglary charge, after the arresting officer located property on her relating to a previous burglary.
¡°While officers were fortunate to make an incredibly quick arrest on this occasion, we¡¯d urge anyone leaving their vehicle even for a short time to please ensure it is locked ¨C as it only takes a second for someone to steal it.¡±
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre