A 17-year-old has been arrested following a series of burglaries and fuel thefts across Southland that netted hundreds of litres of diesel and petrol.
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Police arrested the youth after executing a search warrant at an Invercargill property, following overnight thefts on Tuesday 7 April that targeted rural properties.
Acting Inspector Mel Robertson, Invercargill's Area Prevention Manager, said six vehicles were stolen along with significant quantities of fuel during the crime spree.
"Six vehicles were stolen, along with hundreds of litres diesel and petrol, but Police have been able to recover five of the vehicles thanks to GPS tracking," Robertson said.
The swift police response led to the arrest within days of the offences occurring. The teenager has been charged with burglary relating to fuel theft from a tractor, with further charges being considered. He is scheduled to appear in Invercargill Youth Court later this month.
Police also arrested an 18-year-old at the same property, charging him with receiving stolen goods. He will appear in Invercargill District Court on 14 April.
Nine 20-litre cans containing different types of fuel have been recovered as part of the investigation, which remains ongoing.
Robertson said the arrests should send a clear message to potential offenders.
"Our enquiries are still ongoing, and we can't rule out further arrests, but I want to acknowledge the swift response from frontline staff and detectives that led to yesterday's arrest," she said.
"We won't tolerate this offending here. It's senseless stuff and causes significant distress and upheaval to the lives of hard-working people.
"Anyone who is thinking of stealing fuel or vehicles should take this as a warning - we will act immediately and use our resources to find and prosecute anyone involved."
The case highlights ongoing issues with fuel theft in rural areas, with Robertson urging property owners to review their security measures.
"Unfortunately, this is a timely reminder for everyone, especially those in rural communities, to look at their security, especially around fuel," Robertson said.
Police are encouraging people to follow prevention advice available on their website at police.govt.nz.