Crown claims burglary was inside job

Press, 9 August 1988, Page 36

Crown claims burglary was inside job

PA Wellington A security guard allowed people from Wellington’s Total Fitness centre to tie him up and steal equipment from the firm’s building, the District Court at Lower Hutt was told yesterday. Eight men on trial before a jury denied burglary of the premises of the Total Fitness centre on or about September 3. Rulon Ross Heke, Michael Anthony Ball, Peter Donald Ball, Richard Saxon Ball, Kenneth Ihakara Arthur, Karewa William Arthur, Andre John Peters and William Lance Wehi also denied stealing weights and other gymnasium equipment, valued at $50,000, being property in which Roberts Family Investments, Ltd had a special interest. Crown counsel, Mr John Sainsbury, said Total Fit-

ness was running a gym in a building in Thorndon Quay, Wellington, last August. The rent had not been paid. On August 31 the landlord had a warrant issued giving him the right to seize goods and sell them after a certain period if the rent was not paid. Later that day the landlord entered the premises and ended the lease. Mr Sainsbury said directors of Total Fitness were concerned the landlord had rights over the property. About 2 a.m. on September 3 Michael Ball and six associates went to the premises. They were let in by Heke and removed the equipment. The equipment was loaded into a truck and taken to the Wellington suburb of Karori, where it was put in a container. The equipment was to be'

taken to Christchurch. Michael Ball, one of the directors, had contacted the Total Fitness premises and found a security guard, Heke, whom he knew, was on duty. He arranged for Heke to let himself and others into the premises to take the equipment. To make it look realistic, Heke was tied up. He untied himself and rang his security firm, reporting a burglary. He claimed he had been overpowered. When questioned by police, Heke had initially admitted there had been a burglary and the property had been stolen by associates, Mr Sainsbury said. Heke had been z in : structed not to admit anyone to the premises and knew there was some dispute about the rent.