An alleged car thief has been arrested within 10 minutes of stealing a courier van parked opposite the Napier police station this morning.
A courier driver was delivering a parcel to a premises on Station St opposite the Napier Police Station, shortly before 10am on Friday.
Senior Sergeant Su Robinson said the driver left his vehicle running when a woman got into the van full of parcels and drove off.
“The driver has urgently run into the front counter of the police station and let front desk staff know.”
Officers located both the van and the woman on Masefield Ave a short time later.
Robinson urged drivers to lock their vehicles when leaving them, even for a second.
“While officers were fortunate to make an incredibly quick arrest on this occasion, we’d urge anyone leaving their vehicle even for a short time to please ensure it is locked – as it only takes a second for someone to steal it.”
A 27-year-old woman was arrested and was due in Napier District Court on July 3 charged with unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.
Robison said the woman would also face a burglary charge after the arresting officer also found property relating to a previous burglary.
