A spate of thefts from boats parked on Albert Town properties this month has sparked a police warning for owners to check security and not leave items in vessels.
Recent reported thefts include an 8 horsepower Mercury outboard motor from a Rockhaven address and a GPS and fishfinder from a property on Old Racecourse Rd.
A theft has also been reported from Windermere Farm near Wanaka Airport, in which a nine-seater, red-and-orange commercial raft was stolen from a container, along with eight black aluminium paddles and four red-and-orange helmets and life vests.
Constable Mike Thomas said it appeared to be unrelated to the other reported thefts. It was possible the items could be offered for sale, he said. An outboard motor stolen from the same Old Racecourse Rd area about a year ago was recovered after the owner saw it for sale on the internet.
"We want to make people aware that someone is targeting boats in the Albert Town area and to have a look at security and inspect their boats," he said.
• Wanaka police attended a single motor-vehicle accident on the Cardrona Valley Rd near Spotts Creek on Thursday at 1pm. A car left the road and ended up in the creek. None of the three occupants, tourists aged 42, 41 and 8, was injured. An infringement notice was issued to the driver, Const Thomas said.
