As put by Detective Sergeant Claire Rogers:
Police have arrested and charged several local youths in relation to vehicle crime and burglaries of retail stores in the Taupō CBD.
Several other young people have also been referred to Youth Aid to consider appropriate alternative resolutions.
Additionally, an 18-year-old man is due to appear in Whakatane District Court on Thursday 17 August following a burglary committed in Taupo and other burglaries in the wider Bay of Plenty area.
Another 18-year-old man, who was 17 at the time of arrest, has been referred to Youth Aid in Whakatane.
Police recognise and acknowledge the significant harm this offending causes the community and we wish to thank the Taupō community for their continued support and patience while we have worked to address recent offending.
We work hard to assist retailers with crime prevention measures, we respond to incidents in a timely fashion, we investigate thoroughly in order to hold offenders to account wherever possible.
Police encourage the public to report any instances of suspicious activity via 111 if it is happening now or to report other matters to Police by calling 105 or reporting online at https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105
