Wanaka police are concerned a burglary ring is targeting the residential area of Rippon Lea, off Mt Aspiring Rd, following two recent thefts in the area.
Earlier this month, a holiday house in Morrows Mead was entered and a laptop, iPad, iPhone and a quantity of New Zealand and overseas cash was taken. Most of the property, with the exception of the New Zealand currency, was located the next day, on the lakefront.
On Wednesday night this week, two units at Edgewater Resort were entered via an unsecured window and a handbag, purse, cellphone, bottle of beer and Australian cash were stolen. All of the property was recovered nearby yesterday morning.
Constable Mike Johnston said the offenders were possibly aware some of the items were traceable, which could explain why they were dumped.
Police carried out a pamphlet drop in the area yesterday afternoon alerting residents to the burglaries and urging them to take extra security precautions and to report immediately any suspicious behaviour in the area.
"It's raised our concerns to have two similar types of offending [in the same area]. It's enough for us to raise the alarm," Const Johnston said.
Police suspect the offenders live in the area and are moving about on foot.
"Where the items have been discarded, you can't get to by vehicle. They're down on the lakefront."
There had not been any reports of suspicious vehicle movements, he said.
Const Johnston said the burglaries were the first in the Rippon Lea area for some time, which could indicate the offender was new to town.
"We've got this influx of people for the winter season ... and with that you get a few people who are undesirables."
