An underwear thief has struck again in Arrowtown at the same
address where women's underwear was stolen in April and
police are asking the public for help to catch the offender.
During Easter weekend, police were alerted to a theft in
which a number of articles of women's clothing were taken
from a washing line at the rear of a Hertford St property. A
dog collar and chain were also taken.
Last weekend, police were called to the same house after
women's clothing and underwear was again taken, although this
time the offender went through the kitchen to get to the
items.
Police are concerned about the escalation and Detective
Sergeant Brian Cameron said there might be similar incidents
which had gone unreported since "at this time there appears
to be no particular reason why the victim has been singled
out".
"There are elements to these crimes which are very disturbing
not only to the victim but also for the wider Arrowtown
community," he said.
The incidents both came at the end of the school term, but
police would not speculate about whether that was a
coincidence or not.
"I would expect that the wider community will be as concerned
as police and that people will keep an eye out for suspicious
activity not only on their own property but also that of
their neighbours - someone has come home with articles of
clothing that are foreign to them.
"We would like to find that person."
Anyone with information can contact Queenstown police on (03)
441-1600 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800
555-111.
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