Nine Stolen Vehicles In One Car Wrecker's Yard

Police recently visited a total of 137 second hand dealers and other industry representatives, as part of Operation Pearl a strategic police initiative aimed at reducing and preventing opportunities to trade stolen goods. Nine stolen vehicles were discovered in one car wrecker's yard, with evidence of a number of other stolen vehicles having recently been processed through the business.

This follows on from previous successful visits where a number of stolen grave plaques where discovered as well as numerous stolen car parts.

A number of known burglars have also been identified as regularly selling stolen goods to second hand dealers. Police are tracking down the individuals, investigating the offences and where sufficient evidence has been obtained, proceeding to prosecuting the offenders.

"While it is pleasing to have identified receivers of stolen vehicles, it is disappointing that there are some businesses in the car dismantling industry that continue to support the trade in stolen vehicles" says Inspector Gary Davey.

Criminal charges are likely to be laid against at least one person working at the car wrecker's yard, and ongoing inquires are continuing as to how the stolen vehicles came to be within the yard.

Police are working with dealers to make sure that their record keeping is up to the correct standard, making it more challenging for thieves to unload their stolen property through a dealer.

"It is important for dealers to have high standards or they may face prosecution. Police are not going away, we are developing processes to ensure there is consistent enforcement of dealers, and those that don't want to comply with their responsibilities will find themselves being visited and audited by Police on a regular basis" says Mr Davey.

With the recent launch of the website http://www.police.govt.nz/stolen/vehicles Police are encouraging automotive dismantlers to check all vehicle parts brought into their premises.

Anyone with any information about stolen property is encouraged to call their local police station, or if they wish to remain anonymous they can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.