A pair of alleged thieves were left empty handed in Onehunga after being caught in the act by Police yesterday afternoon.
Senior Sergeant Tony Ngau Chun, Auckland City East Area Response Manager, says at about 3.45pm two men were seen inside an abandoned house on Nissan Place.
"The witness called Police as they knew this dwelling was not occupied.
"One of the men was crawling around beneath the house as if he was looking for something."
Police units arrived shortly afterwards and arrested the man without issue.
"A Delta dog unit tracked the second man some distance away from the address," Senior Sergeant Ngau Chun says.
"He was also arrested without incident."
A search uncovered a saw and an amount of copper material.
"These alleged offenders were attempting to take advantage of the house being unoccupied and help themselves to the copper piping," Senior Sergeant Ngau Chun says.
"This was a good result by our staff, quickly on the scene and preventing further offending."
A 48-year-old man will appear in the Auckland District Court today charged with burglary.
Enquiries are ongoing with further charges likely.
