Brazen burglar targeting Asian victims in the Northcote and Takapuna area

North Shore Police are urging residents in the Northcote and Takapuna area to keep their doors and windows locked, and not admit any stranger into their homes, after reports in the past two days of burglaries in the Takapuna and Northcote suburbs of the North Shore, where it appears that the same criminal is targeting Asian families.

On the evening of Thursday the 15th of July and then on the afternoon of Friday the 16th of July, four burglaries were reported in the Takapuna and Northcote Area.

In each of these burglaries a male with a similar description entered the home of Asian families, through open doors and windows and began taking small, valuable items. This happened when the families were in the house. When he was disturbed by the occupants, he asked for money, and then casually left the homes, taking the stolen items with him.

One of the burglaries was unreported, and two were reported after a delay.

The burglar is described as a male Maori or Pacific Islander, aged between 30 and 40 years old. He is about 180 cm tall and of medium build.

Senior Sergeant Mark Fergus says that the North Shore Police and the Asian community have a very close relationship, and anyone who is subject to this type of crime can call the Police immediately to talk about it. If there are language difficulties, the Police will arrange an interpreter as soon as possible.

Senior Sergeant Fergus says that "we are here to help, and want to help, all we need is one phone call". If people see strangers on their property or in their house, call Police on 111 immediately.

North Shore Police also want to hear from anyone else who this sort of crime has happened to.