Police have arrested and charged a man in connection with the theft of a vehicle and tools from former Otago rugby player David Latta, a Balclutha builder, last week.
Senior Sergeant Chris Wakelin, of Balclutha, said a 47-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday night and briefly appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday morning before justices of the peace.
He was charged with the October 17 burglary of Mr Latta, as well as interfering with an Isuzu and stealing a wallet in Invercargill on Monday.
The man was remanded in custody by consent and will apply for bail today.
Snr Sgt Wakelin said police were still working to recover the property stolen, believed to be worth about $50,000.
Mr Latta had earlier praised the team spirit of locals following the theft.
The one "silver lining" from the incident had been a rallying of team spirit from the South Otago community, he said.
"If there’s anything good to come out of this, it’s been the rallying round of our work team sharing their tools, and the offers of support we’ve had from other builders locally," Mr Latta said.
"We appreciate it."
The van itself had sentimental value.
"We used to use it to take my son Madison round the country for motocross events, so there’s some history."
- Police 105.
