Reward to 'rattle a few cages'

David Miskimmin.
David Miskimmin.
A Dunedin publican, David ''Murdoch'' Miskimmin, is offering a $1000 reward for the arrest of the ''scumbag'' who stole thousands of gold coins from his pokie machines.

Earlier this month, on February 7, his Mornington Tavern was broken into by a crowbar-wielding thief who made off with several thousand dollars in gold coins.

The one-man crime wave, who also targeted other Mornington businesses the same night, remains at large.

Mr Miskimmin has now produced a ''wanted'' poster offering the reward for information leading to the arrest of the ''scumbag because I want to rattle a few cages''.

''A thousand bucks might inspire some of his criminal mates to dob him in as well.''

Asked if his approach would encourage vigilantism, he replied: ''Good - more of it should happen.''

He urged anyone with information to contact police in the first instance, and the offering of a reward had been checked by his lawyer.

The poster for the man believed to have  stolen thousands of gold coins from the Mornington...
The poster for the man believed to have stolen thousands of gold coins from the Mornington Tavern. Photo supplied.
He conceded he would lose more money in trying to apprehend the thief, ''because we need to take a stand and make it harder for burglars''.

That stand included offering a draw for a $100 meal voucher if people shared the wanted poster on Facebook, and ''hopefully it will go viral''.

He was also holding a sweepstake on when the offender would be caught.

Following the theft, he has upgraded the pub's security.

The investigation into the burglaries was ongoing, a police spokeswoman confirmed.

hamish.mcneilly@odt.co.nz

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