Northland Police locate stolen military medals

Thursday, 17 October 2013 - 8:52am

Northland

Police have located several military medals that were stolen from an elderly Paihia man's address earlier this week.

The 68-year-old man had been staying with a relative when he was informed by his landlord that someone had broken into his flat and stolen seven medals and a number of other items.

The medals included: a New Zealand Operational Service Medal; New Zealand General Service Medal with clasp for Borneo, South Vietnamese Campaign Medal; Federation of Malaysia Medal; two Vietnam medals; and a New Zealand Defence Force Medal.

After making inquiries and receiving information from the public, Police executed search warrants yesterday afternoon at four addresses - two in Kawakawa and two in Moerewa.

The medals, along with other property stolen from the elderly man, were found hidden in a cupboard at one address.

Far North Area Prevention Manager Senior Sergeant Chris McLellan said Police were appalled at the theft of the medals, which had a lot of sentimental value to the victim.

"He was very upset that they had been taken. Burglary is a violation for all victims and we take this crime seriously."

Mr McLellan said the victim's family were very grateful to Police for locating the medals so soon after they had been stolen.

"We are also very pleased with the result and we had a number of staff, including CIB, Public Safety Teams (frontline), Youth Services and Road Policing, out there trying to locate the offenders and find the medals."

Mr McLellan said the offenders were not at the addresses when Police carried out the searches, but Police have strong leads on locating the offenders.

ENDS

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