A trip to court beckons for two alleged burglars who targeted a west Auckland property while the homeowners were overseas.
Between 11 June and 18 June, two offenders allegedly entered a Te Atatū home and stole a significant amount of property.
Detective Sergeant Anna Freestone, Waitematā West Tactical Crime Unit, says a vigilant neighbour raised the alarm after noticing the front door wide open and a vehicle missing from the driveway.
"The owners were notified and it was discovered the home had been ransacked.
"Stolen items included a vehicle, household furnishings, jewellery, electronic devices, fishing equipment, and other personal items totalling more than $60,000."
The offenders disabled the property's CCTV but were captured on camera seconds before the feed cut out.
An investigation was launched to identify those responsible and recover the stolen property.
Within days the stolen vehicle was located nearby, and a forensic examination was completed.
"Yesterday, the Waitematā West Tactical Crime Unit executed two search warrants in west Auckland and arrested two people of interest.
"These searches located a large quantity of the stolen items, including furniture, a laptop, fishing rods, and other household property," Detective Sergeant Freestone says.
The volume of property recovered was so significant that a moving van was required to return the items to the victim, who was very grateful to be reunited with their possessions.
"It's a great result to have recovered the items and for those responsible to be held to account.
"This is also a timely reminder to keep an eye out for your neighbours and report any suspicious activity to Police," Detective Sergeant Freestone says.
A 37-year-old woman has been charged with burglary and failure to carry out obligations in relation to computer search, and a 40-year-old woman has been charged with burglary.
Both will appear in Waitākere District Court today.
