Burglary victims fly to capital

Press, 9 February 1982, Page 1

Burglary victims fly to capital

Seventeen victims of burglaries in Christchurch have flown to Wellington to look for their valuables' among property worth $400,000 seized by the Wellington police.

So far they have been able to identify only about $30,000 worth of the estimated $200,000 worth of goods, mainly antiques' and silverware, which were stolen from Christchurch homes. Detectives see the smash-

ing of a highly organised burglary and receiving ring as “a major breakthrough." The property was seized as a result of inquiries started by the Christchurch C. 1.8. and continued in liaison with the Wellington police in the last weeks. “We will have a job proving how much of that is stolen.” said a police spokesman. “Some has obviously been got rid of, but all in all we are talking about a colossal amount.” Three persons have been

charged in connection with the inquiry, which has now extended through New Zealand. and more arrests are expected in Christchurch and Wellington. Detective Inspector N. J. Stokes said about 40 homes had been burgled in Christchurch in the last 14 months and mostly antiques and silverware were taken.

More victims of burglaries from Christchurch would go to Wellington to look at the property being held, but only with the authorisation of the police, said Mr Stokes. It was not likely that the goods could be brought to Christchurch. “The main difficulty is the big quantity and the value of the stuff,” he said. Christchurch detectives are working in the Wellington area, and inquiries are continuing.