Man wakes victims while hot-wiring car

An Otira resident awoken by a vehicle starting up after midnight yesterday discovered a man had hot-wired their car.

Acting senior sergeant Paul Watson, of Greymouth police, said the resident was woken about 1.30am to the sound of their Toyota Surf being started up and ran outside in time to find someone tampering with the vehicle.

"This male had broken into the vehicle and had bypassed the ignition," Mr Watson said.

The owner confronted the man, who promptly ran off into the darkness.

Given the hour it was difficult to get a description of the would-be car thief.

Police urged Otira residents to be vigilant with the security of their vehicles and to immediately report any unusual activity or information on persons seen in the area acting suspiciously overnight on Monday.

Another Otira resident had a chainsaw stolen. It had been left outside a house in the village during an ongoing wood cutting operation.

Mr Watson urged residents to dial 111 upon seeing criminal activity, and asked for any information following a crime to be passed on either by contacting the Greymouth police or calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

 - by Brendon McMahon

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