Drug debts behind rise in tool thefts in Dunedin, police say
Stuff co.nz 4 December 2018
Family First Comment: “Cannabis – and increasingly methamphetamine – were increasingly the driver of such crime, with thieves targeting “big ticket items” to pay off drug debts.”
And any legality or soft approach would only worsen the problem.
#SayNopeToDope
www.VoteNo.nz
Paying off drug debts is a driver for the spate of large scale tool thefts, police say.
In the latest incident, a padlock was cut from a container and more than $30,000 worth of builder’s tools were stolen from a site on McMaster Rd, near Saddle Hill, Dunedin on Sunday night.
Acting Inspector Craig Dinnissen urged builders to consider cameras to protect their sites, as police battled an increase in tool burglaries.
The tools were often sold cheaply over Facebook, and he urged buyers to be vigilant.
Tools such as DeWalt and Makita were being offered for a fraction of their retail price.
“If it is too good to be true, it probably is,” Dinnissen said.
Deals over Facebook were conducted over private messenger, with the items paid for with cash and/or drugs, he said.
Cannabis – and increasingly methamphetamine – were increasingly the driver of such crime, with thieves targeting “big ticket items” to pay off drug debts.
READ MORE: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/109070247/drug-debts-behind-rise-in-tool-thefts-in-dunedin-police-say
