Senior Sergeant Rachel Walker said police had arrested an 18‑year‑old man following a series of thefts from vehicles, burglaries and fraudulent use of bank cards across the province.
She said he was facing more than 20 dishonesty charges including burglary, theft ex car, unlawful interference with a motor vehicle, possession of goods used to commit dishonesty offences, and using bank cards to obtain goods dishonestly.
The offending occurred across Pegasus, West Melton, Casebrook, Christchurch and Hanmer Springs, with vehicles targeted overnight and personal property stolen.
Items stolen included wallets, electronics, bank cards, and house and vehicle keys.
Police allege the stolen bank cards were then used to make fraudulent purchases at various retail and fuel outlets, Snr Sgt Walker said.
In one case, house keys with address information were allegedly taken from an unlocked vehicle in Hanmer Springs, then used that same night to burgle a house in Christchurch.
Following thefts from vehicles and burglaries in Hanmer Springs, the Hanmer Rural Police identified the offender and located stolen property.
Inquiries linked a number of complaints across the wider Canterbury district.
The man has appeared in the Christchurch District Court and has been remanded in custody until his next appearance.
Snr Sgt Walker said many of the offences were opportunistic, some involving unlocked vehicles with valuables left inside.
She reminded the public to lock their vehicles at all times, remove valuables from sight, and never leave bank cards or keys inside cars.
