Police are investigating after the windows in numerous vehicles parked across east Auckland were smashed.
A spokesperson for Counties Manukau Police says they’re aware of a “small increase” in thefts from vehicles in the area in recent weeks, “particularly since Easter and since the evenings have been getting darker sooner”.
“At this stage there’s no indication these incidents are necessarily linked and there’s no specific suburb being targeted more than others.
“A number of these thefts have occurred on or around people’s properties, with sunglasses, wallets, phones and laptops being targeted.”
The Times observed a Mazda Demio car with its driver’s side window smashed and broken glass on the ground beside it parked in Kilkenny Drive, Dannemora, on April 28.
Numerous east Auckland residents have taken to social media to vent their frustration with the vandalism to and thefts from their vehicles
One posted about a relative’s Volkswagen Golf car, which had its two driver’s side windows smashed recently while parked in Kilkenny Drive.
Another vehicle owner says their car had its back window smashed while parked at Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga, while a vehicle parked in Northpark had its rear window broken.
Another recent post says three vehicles parked within 100 metres of each other in Darren Crescent, Half Moon Bay, had windows smashed also.
There were also allegedly five cars damaged while parked in Eastern Beach, four in East Tamaki, and one in Armstrong Farm Drive, Dannemora.
The owner of a Toyota Vitz car posted on social media that the vehicle was recently stolen from Vivian Wilson Drive in Eastern Beach and that several other vehicles on the street had their windows smashed.
And the owner of a Nissan says they found its windscreen smashed while it was parked in The Esplanade, Eastern Beach, one recent morning.
The police spokesperson says many of the recent thefts from vehicles are opportunistic rather than planned.
“Many could have been prevented by taking simple steps to remove items from view.
“Police continue to encourage people to ensure they always lock their vehicles, and if possible have a car alarm or keep the vehicle in a garage or out of sight.
“We urge people to ensure they do not leave their valuables in their vehicles, and encourage them to keep all items out of sight to prevent opportunistic thieves from breaking in.
“Police will be making enquiries into these incidents and will investigate where there are lines of enquiry to do so.”
People with information on the incidents can phone police on 105 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers tip-off line on 0800 555 111.
