Dealer says group behind car thefts

Press, 7 January 1987, Page 6

Dealer says group behind car thefts

A Christchurch car dealer believes that an organised group is responsible for the theft, stripping, and burning of a car taken from his yard. Mr Gary Pattison, a codirector of Michael Denny, Ltd, in Opawa, says that the theft and damage of cars from dealers’ yards has become a serious problem in Christchurch. “Five were taken from car yards last week-end,” he said. “I’m sure organised crime is behind it.” On Monday, a man purporting to be a potential

buyer took a 1971 Ford Cortina for a test drive from the yard of Michael Denny, which is on the corner of Opawa Road and Wilsons Road. The car, which was priced at $3OOO, was recovered by the police early yesterday morning in Lismore Street, Waltham, two blocks from the yard. It had been stripped of its motor and gearbox and burned. “It must have been done in a garage close to the yard,” said Mr Pattison. car thieves ob-

tained vehicles by breaking into yards or pretending to take vehicles for test drives, and not returning. Mr Pattison said that his yard had been broken into last year. Burglars had moved two cars so that they could take a Hillman Hunter. Security! had since been improved. He suspected that motors and other car parts were stolen to order after they were “pre-sold” in hotels. Mr Pattison urged dealers and private sellers to take care who they let test drive their vehicles.