Keys to all of dealership’s cars stolen

A car dealership in Hamilton has reportedly had three cars and keys to all the vehicles on its yard stolen after burglars struck at the weekend.

Police are investigating the break-in at Turners Cars on Te Rapa Road, which happened overnight on Saturday, November 5.

Officers were called on Sunday morning and a Turners’ staff member told Stuff the yard, which usually houses more than 100 cars, was a “crime scene” after all the keys had been taken.

It means many vehicles at the branch, which first opened in 2019, are unable to be moved until keys, locks, immobilisers and computers are replaced.

Shaun Patterson from Waikato Auto Locksmiths says his company has been tasked with replacing keys and locks in 135 cars and predicts the job will take weeks.

Stuff also reports it may cost up to $270,000 to replace all the keys taken in the raid.