Police cagey on medal thief identity

The detective leading the investigation into Waiouru Army Museum's medal heist today refused to comment on a report it was masterminded by a "notorious criminal".

The Herald on Sunday yesterday reported it knew the name of the man who organised the theft of nearly 100 war medals in December last year.

The paper said it could not legally release the name but described the mastermind as a "notorious criminal" with nearly 100 convictions.

The officer leading the hunt for the thieves, Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Bensemann today refused to comment on the report to NZPA referring all inquiries to police national headquarters.

The newspaper said the former gang member - with a criminal history dating back to the late 1960s - was serving several years on methamphetamine-related charges, and was widely regarded as one of the godfathers of the underworld.

He appeared in court last week on a number of violence-related charges. He had been eligible for parole this year, but his application was declined.

The paper said sources had confirmed the man was in regular contact, from Auckland's Mt Eden Prison, with another suspect in the case so the pair could collect the reward.

The medals were returned last week after a deal brokered by Auckland lawyer Chris Comeskey with the thieves who have been paid a portion of the $300,000 reward.

- NZPA