The man was caught in the act by a member of the public who photographed him removing transformers worth $5000 from a billboard on the corner of Cobden St and Karangahape Rd on October 12.
The photograph was handed to police and the owner of the transformers plastered the photo on a series of billboards around the city with the message: "Who is this thief?"
Police said the notice had prompted several calls.
"We have had a few names put forward," said Sergeant Ray Simpson today.
"We are going to check the photographs the people put forward against the actual billboard photo," he said.
The thief's time was running out.
Mr Simpson said it was a good move by the member of the public who took the picture of the man removing the transformers.
"I just hope it gives a little bit of a deterrent to other people.
They could turn around and say well at the end of the day it could be you next billed all over the city."
