Alleged burglar caught in the act

Police say they have thwarted a burglar’s plans to rob Taupō power tool store last night.

The 37-year-old man was charged with aggravated burglary, stealing a car, unlawful possession of a firearm, and resisting Police.

They allege that at around 10.30pm, a stolen vehicle was used to ram through the store’s steel roller door.

Police were contacted shortly after by the store’s owner who was monitoring the raid via CCTV. 

Three minutes after being notified, Police were at the scene and could see an abandoned white utility truck that had been used to drive through the roller door.

On hearing multiple loud bangs from the store’s rear, officers entered and were confronted by a masked man who allegedly ran toward them in an aggressive manner. 

Police apprehended and arrested the man then seized the vehicle and stolen items.

Senior Sergeant Andy Livingstone said it was a “dynamic situation in which the store owner and Police responded with urgency.

“It highlights the effectiveness of having monitored alarms and CCTV.”

He appeared today in Taupō District Court and has been remanded in custody until his next court appearance on September 29.