Waihi police say thieves who stole food from a funeral have reached “a new low in criminal offending”.
The town’s War Memorial Hall was broken into around 9pm on Monday night, and the offenders stole food which was being stored in the hall in preparation for a funeral.
Senior Sergeant Rex Knight said the caterer had been “working like a Trojan” preparing the food, which was intended for the Tuesday funeral of a local marae secretary.
The close-knit Waihi community reacted strongly to the theft – Mr Knight says “when news got out about what happened it wasn't just the Police on the offenders' tails”.
Police thanked the local community for their part in identifying the alleged offenders.
A 40-year-old man has been arrested for receiving, and a 17-year-old man has been arrested and charged with burglary. Two boys, aged 14 and 12, were referred to Youth Aid.
Mr Knight says while the theft was especially disappointing as it was likely the thieves “knew the woman whose funeral they stole from”, the strong community reaction was reassuring.
“There still are a lot of very good, community minded, people in Waihi,” he says.
Police are investigating links between the burglary of the hall and the burglary and tagging of a local florist shop.
Anyone with information can contact the Waihi Police Station on 07 863 8179 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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