Two men have been arrested and more than $30,000 in stolen property recovered following a months-long investigation into rural burglaries across eastern Southland.
The men, aged 42 and 38, from Niagara and Gore, were charged with receiving stolen property after their arrest on Tuesday. The investigation traced back to a string of rural burglaries beginning in June.
Both are due to appear in Invercargill District Court on September 8.
Acting Senior Sergeant Blair Shirley said the result was a good one for those who had their property taken. "It also serves as a reminder to people living rurally about the importance of maintaining good security practices," Shirley said.
"Simple measures can make a significant difference in reducing the risk of becoming a victim of crime. We encourage people to ensure vehicles are locked and keys are secured, trailers are fitted with locks where possible, and valuable equipment is stored in locked sheds or secure areas."
The advice is practical and worth taking seriously. Rural properties are exposed in ways urban ones aren't — long driveways, machinery left in paddocks, sheds not always visible from the house. A padlock and a habit of locking up cost almost nothing.
Police are also asking the public to keep their eyes open. Tip-offs from locals played a role in getting to this point, and that kind of community awareness is hard to replace. Suspicious activity happening now should be reported to 111. Anything else can go through 105.