Police are seeking witnesses to a North Dunedin crime spree after flats and vehicles were broken into, including those of Otago rugby players away on a training camp.
Senior Sergeant Ben Butterfield, of Dunedin, said five vehicles in the car park behind Forsyth Barr Stadium were broken into about 11.45pm on Tuesday.
As many of the vehicle owners were not in the city, it was unclear what items had been taken, Snr Sgt Butterfield said.
Security cameras were installed in the area and footage was being reviewed, he said.
Otago lock and Kaikorai Rugby Football Club captain Blair Tweed said police called him yesterday to tell him his car, a Subaru parked at the stadium, had been broken into.
''It's pretty annoying. Hopefully, they catch them,'' Mr Tweed said.
He had parked his car at the stadium to travel with Otago squad members to a training camp in Queenstown.
He heard four of the vehicles broken into were owned by squad members.
None of the players knew if anything had been stolen from their vehicles but they feared the worst.
''Some of the boys had some tools and a bit more expensive stuff in there, so I'd say it's probably gone.''
A police spokeswoman could not confirm if a golf club found in the car park yesterday was used to smash windows of the vehicles.
Some of the vehicles in the car park were unlocked, she said.
A witness had seen a dark-coloured Subaru Forester driving away before police arrived.
Police wanted to hear from anyone who saw the Subaru.
About the the same time, a man was seen breaking into a vehicle in Leith St.
The man was described as Caucasian, tall, wearing a white cap and blue or dark hoodie.
A delay in reporting the crime resulted in police not being able to find the man.
''It is really important that people ring us if they see anything suspicious.''
The best opportunity of catching an offender was soon after they had committed the offence, Snr Sgt Butterfield said.
Also on Tuesday, 15 bottles of perfume, a laptop and speakers were stolen from two flats in Leith St between 9pm and 10.30pm.
Residents of the houses were asleep during the burglaries, he said.
The doors of both houses had been unlocked.
Police had a ''strong suspicion'' the burglaries were linked, Snr Sgt Butterfield said.
-Dunedin police (03) 471-4800, Crimestoppers 0800 555-111.
