Police are calling on sightseers to photograph cars parked in tourist hot spots' car parks after another raid on a rental vehicle.
Sergeant Steve Aitken, of Dunedin, said the latest break-in of a rental car occurred on Tuesday between 2pm and 3.30pm while the tourists were on the Sandymount track.
A thief smashed a window and stole a wallet containing $400 from the glove box.
Sgt Aitken advised track users to take any valuables with them, if possible, and to photograph any cars parked in the car park when they arrived.
‘‘These offenders are mobile so they will have a car,'' he said.
‘‘They will be parked in there or very nearby, go in, hit the vehicles and then go.
‘‘If people were to take photographs of those cars parked there we might be able to identify the offenders' vehicle.''
In recent weeks, thieves have targeted tourist vehicles at Sandymount, Tunnel Beach and Sandfly Point.
‘‘The advice would be: don't take valuables with you if you can avoid it - leave them at home,'' Sgt Aitken said.
‘‘That's not always possible for tourists but if the item of value is small enough, put it in a backpack and carry it with you.''
Tourists should avoid moving items to the boots of their vehicles once they arrived at the car parks as the thieves might be watching, he said.
● Two antique chairs were stolen from the Leviathan Hotel, Sgt Aitken said.
The burglary occurred late on Christmas Day Two ‘‘Chinese-style'' chairs, each worth up to $500, were taken.
The chairs, of Asian origin, were dark-stained and had heavily carved arms and legs.
Anyone with information about the incidents was asked to contact the police on 471-4800. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555-111.
