Nineteen scum youths have been arrested following a spree of thefts and burglaries around Bell Block and New Plymouth. Police have noticed an upsurge in dishonesty-related offences in the New Plymouth and Bell Block areas began in April 2013. In the past three weeks, a police team has investigated several burglaries, thefts, and stolen vehicles. Among the property stolen was several cars, bicycles and radios, an iPhone, jewellery, clothing and some food. Police inquiries revealed the thieves were operating in about six separate groups with a few outlying lone offenders, and there several were stealing from both vehicles and homes. 19 suspects have been caught in the past three weeks, and most were under the age of 20. Ten of those have been charged with a variety of offences and dealt with by the New Plymouth District Court, and the remaining nine offenders have been referred to Youth Aid. Some of the stolen property was recovered from the offenders’ homes and returned to its owners. Police noticed many of the houses, garages and vehicles that were targeted by the thieves had been left unlocked, and often valuable items and cash were able to been seen from outside. Police say it is important people continue to report any suspicious behaviour they see to enable police to make further progress.
