Arrests after raids on wreckers

Police have arrested two men accused of processing stolen vehicles at wreckers’ yards in Christchurch and Upper Hutt after a monthslong investigation.

A 21-year-old from Upper Hutt and a 39-year-old from Christchurch were nabbed during simultaneous warrants executed on September 5 in a joint initiative with Tactical Crime Units, Asset Recovery Units, and Customs from both districts.

The men face charges relating to receiving stolen vehicles and breaching the Secondhand Dealers and Pawnbrokers Act 2004.

Police say they are also taking restraint action under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009 after investigating illegal activities at two wreckers’ businesses.

In Canterbury, an investigation into a rise in car crime began in March and came to centre on two auto-dismantlers yards – one in Christchurch and the other in Upper Hutt. 

Police believe those sites were fuelling vehicle thefts in their wider districts. They became suspicious after visiting the Christchurch site and finding breaches of the Secondhand Dealers and Pawnbrokers Act. 

Investigators alleged a number of stolen cars had been bought by the yard at undervalued rates, which led to the beginning of Operation Mane.

“Among the evidence Op Mane uncovered was that an Upper Hutt auto dismantler was operating under a similar business model,” says Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Sarah Graham, officer in charge of the Canterbury Tactical Crime Unit.

“Wellington District Police, under the umbrella of the longer-running Op Drake, subsequently discovered stolen vehicles at the Upper Hutt business too.”

Graham adds that after half a year of work by Police Tactical Crime Units, Asset Recovery Units, and Customs New Zealand, there was sufficient evidence to execute last week’s simultaneous warrants.

“This is a shot across the bow of the second-hand industry,” she continues. 

“If you break the law, we will track you down and work across districts and agencies to do it.

“The investigations into this activity are very much ongoing and are the reason why police have restrained assets. With that work still under way, we’re unable to comment on the value, or types of assets that have been restrained.”

Thefts increasing

Operation Drake has been running for more than a year in Wellington to tackle an increase in vehicle thefts across the district.

It comes after the number of unrecovered commercial vehicle thefts in the area has increased by 58 per cent in the past five years.

Detective Inspector Haley Ryan says police strongly suspect the majority of the vehicles not being recovered are being dismantled and exported overseas.

“Stolen commercial vehicles have much more value to the receiver being dismantled and sold for parts versus them being rebirthed and sold,” adds Ryan.

“We would be very naive to believe that the businesses that are subject to [the recent[ search warrants are the only car-wrecking businesses to be involved in such illegal activities.

“New Zealand Police and Customs will continue to work in partnership and investigate and prosecute those businesses; we’re not just working in our own backyard, we will go wherever the evidence takes us.”

Police say there may be further arrests as they continue to examine evidence gathered, with last week’s incident the second Christchurch auto-dismantler to be prosecuted in the past year over similar offences. 

To prevent vehicles being targeted by criminals, police recommend people:

• Ensure their vehicle is locked and windows are fully closed.

• Remove any valuables from the vehicle that may attract thieves.

• Park in off-street parking or a well-lit area.

• Install cameras in and around their car, if possible.

If anyone sees suspicious activity happening, they are urged to contact police on 111.

To report a theft after it has occurred, call 105. Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.