A pair of alleged burglars in the middle of removing a hot water cylinder and copper piping from a Tikipunga property have been caught in the act.
Police were alerted to a burglary at a property undergoing renovation on Thomas Street just after 9.30am yesterday.
The homeowner reported seeing, through security cameras, two people allegedly inside the premises removing items from the home.
Whang¨¡rei Area Prevention Manager, Senior Sergeant Dave Wilkinson, says Police were notified after two people were seen breaking into the property, which is currently under construction.
¡°The Police Dog Unit, Delta, has responded and apprehended two people allegedly trying to run out the back of the property with tools.
¡°One person suffered a minor dog bite as a result.
¡°CCTV footage proved invaluable in this case, alerting the homeowner to the pair entering the property and allowing them to see the footage in real time.
¡°CCTV is a great security measure and not only can it alert you as incidents are happening, but it is also a crucial tool in identifying offenders and providing critical evidence.¡±
A 32-year-old man and an 18-year-old woman have been charged with burglary and will appear in Whang¨¡rei District Court today.
ENDS.
Holly McKay/51½ÖÉä