Arrests over mass rental vehicle heist

The vehicles were taken from this Mangere property. Photo: NZ Herald
The vehicles were taken from this Mangere property. Photo: NZ Herald
Fourteen people have been arrested and 50 vehicles have been recovered after 112 Jucy rental vehicles were stolen in Auckland. 

In a release, police said they understand 112 vehicles were stolen from the car yard in Mangere. Fifty of the vehicles have been recovered so far.

The stolen vehicles were Holden Captivas, Mazda 3s or Suzuki Swifts that were unbranded, making them not easily identifiable as the company's distinctive green and purple campervans.

As of this morning, 14 people had been arrested and nine of those were facing charges and had or would be appearing in court.

The majority of those are facing charges relating to unlawfully taking a motor vehicle or receiving property.

Three of those charged are also facing a number of driving-related charges after allegedly failing to stop for police.

Three people are also facing charges for alleged breaches under the Health Act.

Those facing charges range in age from 21 to 52 years old.

Three youths have also been caught and are being dealt with separately.

Police have also been notified of 18 additional vehicles that were interfered with at the same yard, which belong to another rental company.

A handful of these vehicles have also been damaged, however none of these company's vehicles have been reported stolen.

Police have made further enquiries at the car yard today including forensic testing.

Enquiries are also being made to obtain CCTV footage from the car yard as well as from nearby addresses.

Police are still working to establish the timing of the vehicle thefts, but they are believed to have taken place over the weekend.

Inspector Matt Srhoj, Counties Manukau West Area Commander, said police were working hard to hold all of those responsible to account.

"We are determined to locate the remainder of these stolen vehicles and Police are working hard to establish exactly what has occurred.

"We have also spoken to other rental car companies in the wider area to ensure they have appropriate security measures in place, which includes keeping vehicle keys hidden in a secure place."

Police are also aware that a few of the stolen vehicles have been advertised for sale online on places such as Facebook marketplace at very low prices.

Jucy Rentals chief executive Tim Alpe previously told the Herald he was devastated by the theft, which could not have come at a worse time for the company.

"When tourism has been just been decimated, to have to go through this as well is just horrific," Alpe said.

The stolen vehicles would have been used by a range of Kiwis who were returning to work as the country moved to level 2.

"At Jucy, we have about two-and-a-half thousand vehicles across New Zealand - cars and campervans, so it's a significant number that has been taken from this site," Alpe said.

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