Thieves allegedly posing as demolition workers have stripped an unoccupied west Auckland apartment complex of almost everything, including the kitchen sinks.
The crews brazenly parked a truck in the driveway of Pepperwood Mews in Kelston for weeks.
They erected a bright orange safety fence and donned hard hats and high-visibility vests for the work, the Herald on Sunday reported.
They ripped out window frames, doors, bathroom vanities and even the wiring in the walls from the 32 units.
They took balcony railings, carpet, kitchen benches and almost every electrical fitting.
The building's owners' group chairman Adrian Chitty said about $500,000 worth of fittings had been taken.
Mr Chitty said it was possible that four people already arrested believed they were working legally.
"Someone, somewhere has seen an opportunity to make some money and they have moved in. It's bloody frustrating."
Pepperwood Mews was built in 2004 for investors to lease flats to pensioners. However, the $12 million complex was condemned as structurally unsound and residents moved out in 2009.
It has since become the focus of a legal case between the 32 owners, Auckland Council and Housing New Zealand.
Detective Senior Sergeant Andy King said four people had been caught working in one of the apartments. He said three men and one woman faced charges relating to items taken from the unit. They have pleaded not guilty and told police they were working for somebody else.
Police rang a cellphone number for that person but the call was disconnected.
Meanwhile, the buildings' owners have filed a complaint with the Independent Police Conduct Authority over the standard of patrolling around the apartment and the investigation after the burglary.
NZN