Theft of distinctive truck baffles police

TRUCK GONE: This Isuzu truck was part of a haul taken from a Southland silage contractor's shed last month.

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A distinctive truck and a haul of more than $30,000 of tools were taken in the burglary of a Southland silage contractor's shed last month.

Constable Dave Cowie, of Otautau, said the items were taken from Rabco Ag Ltd's shed on Otautau-Wrey's Bush Rd, about 5km from Otautau, some time between 5pm on Wednesday, February 24, and 8.30am the following morning.

Despite the size and distinctiveness of the truck, police inquiries had turned up no trace of the vehicle, Mr Cowie said.

"It's just disappeared."

It is a white 2.5-tonne Isuzu double-cab, fitted with a towing A-frame at the front and a large wooden toolbox and diesel tank fitted on the truck's deck. It has the registration WS581.

The tools taken, which had a total value of about $30,000 and counting, included socket sets, spanners, generators, drills, oil and grease, a steam cleaner and a blade-sharpening grinder valued at $5000, Mr Cowie said.

The shed the gear was taken from was about 100m from the nearest house, was visible from the road and, while the contractor had taken all practical steps to make it secure, it was an easy target, he said.

"It's an example of how rural sheds are not immune to being targeted and are easy prey for offenders," he said.

While most of the tools and equipment were generic workshop gear, the truck was more difficult to hide and he asked anyone who saw the vehicle around the time it was taken or knew of it or any of the stolen equipment's whereabouts to contact Otautau police.

The truck was low on diesel at the time it was taken and it was possible it had been towed, Mr Cowie said.

Contractor Eddie Rabbitt said the burglary had come at a busy time for his business and had created headaches for his more than 12 staff, who were reliant on calling in mechanics for even minor breakdowns.

Mr Rabbitt said while he was fully insured, his claim was still being worked through by assessors.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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