Stolen goods - if it sounds too good to be true...

A high number of brazen thefts from South Auckland Kathmandu stores over the past two months has prompted a warning from Counties Manukau Police to the public about buying Kathmandu jackets at a cheap price.

Anyone who buys a genuine jacket outside of an official Kathmandu retailer should proceed with caution, as any new jackets sold at a heavily discounted price (particularly via social networking, online auction sites, market or street sales) could be stolen.

"We advise everyone to remember that if you're approached with a deal that sounds too good to be true, it probably is," says Senior Sergeant Karley Hunt of Counties Manukau Police. "To knowingly receive stolen goods is a crime and we urge people with information to come forward. With help from the public, we can reduce property crime by targeting known receivers and the trade of stolen goods."

The increased spate of thefts of Kathmandu jackets began in June with four robberies of the Ronwood Ave store. Since then, the two other stores in the District (Botany and Pukekohe) have been targeted, and robberies at the Ronwood Ave store have totalled at 15 during the months of June-September. Most recently, the Ronwood Ave store was robbed of thousands of dollars worth of jackets on Saturday 12 October. Stores across the Auckland metro region have also been targeted.

The Kathmandu jackets have become a target to thieves, with their high retail and resale value and popularity amongst young people.

Some offenders have been apprehended in these cases, but Police don't consider them all to be linked.

"The majority of these crimes are conducted with one or more thieves grabbing the jackets and running to a car waiting outside the store. The car may be stolen or have stolen registration plates. Thousands of dollars worth of merchandise is stolen at any one time," says Counties Manukau Senior Sergeant Karley Hunt.

In relation to the most recent case Police are following lines of enquiry to establish the identity of the offender, who entered the store wearing pyjamas or a onesie, and dropped a wallet in the rush to leave the store with an armful of jackets. The car in which he fled had stolen registration plates.

Police advises anyone with information on the stolen jackets to come forward.

"Don't become involved in this spate of robberies by purchasing a stolen jacket. If you know anyone who has had anything to do with the stolen jackets or the trade of stolen goods, please tell Police," says Senior Sergeant Hunt.

Information about property receivers is valuable to Police - even if you're not sure if it's significant. Senior Sergeant Hunt advises anyone with information about property crime to come forward to help Police reduce burglary, robbery and theft. Counties Manukau Police will also be making an appeal on their Facebook page, reminding members of the public that their knowledge is valuable.

Anyone who has seen cheap Kathmandu jackets for sale and suspects it is a stolen stash, or knows anything about any of the thefts across Auckland should contact Police.

Call Counties Manukau Police on 09 261 1300 or information can be left anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

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