Police are investigating a large number of burglaries around the Dunedin area, including the theft of $4500 worth of tools.
There had been 25 properties reported burgled in the city, including clusters of properties in South and North Dunedin, between December 29 and yesterday, Sergeant Steve Aitken said.
A red tool chest containing $4500 worth of tools was stolen from a building at the former Kenmure Intermediate site in Kaikorai Valley Rd.
The 1.7m tool chest was valued at $2000, and contained 14 items, including socket sets, screwdrivers and panelbeating hammers.
The chest was heavy and would have required two people to move it, he said. The thieves kicked in a panel at the former gymnasium to gain entry.
An iPhone was stolen through an open window of a Windsor St, Opoho, property, while thieves made a ''messy search'' of an Ainslee Pl, Northeast Valley address, taking a television and stereo.
An elderly woman might have disturbed a burglar in her Glendining Ave, Northeast Valley, home after she found the back door open and her television unplugged about 4.45am.
On New Year's Eve, a weedeater was taken from a North Rd property, and a day later a lawnmower was taken from the same property, Sgt Aitken said.
A window of an Eskvale St, St Kilda, home was forced open while the owner went to the shop. During the the time the owner was away, a television was taken.
A window was jemmied at an Earls Rd, St Clair, property and alcohol taken and a jewellery box was opened.
Alcohol was also targeted in a Crete St, St Kilda, burglary, and intruders used a ladder to access a window and enter a Botha St, Tainui, house from where a laptop computer was taken.
Two cars were entered in Northeast Valley. An iPhone and coins were taken from a car parked in a driveway at Felix St and a wallet was taken from the front seat of a car parked in Blacks Rd, Sgt Aitken said.
Both vehicles were unlocked.
In Evans Rd, Opoho, a man walking home from work saw a man trying to jemmy a car door open early yesterday.
He was described as a Caucasian in his 40s with scruffy brown hair and wearing a grey hoodie.
Coins were taken from an unlocked car in Rawhiti St, Musselburgh.
St Aitken urged people to lock their property, including vehicles.
