Police locate stolen vehicle linked to Wellington crime spree

Police have found the stolen vehicle they were hunting in connection to a series of overnight offending yesterday but are yet to locate the three men believed to be responsible.

The vehicle, a red 2002 Subaru station wagon, was found ablaze in Sheridan Terrace, Newlands about 11:20pm last night.

Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Dunn of Wellington CIB says Police are now also investigating a commercial burglary in Tawa shortly after 12:30am this morning, and the theft of a 1996 blue Subaru Legacy station wagon (registration number DAJ817) stolen from Morgan Street, Johnsonville overnight and believe the same three men are responsible for these as well.

Overnight on Tuesday, four burglaries and two arsons were committed, including a car arson in Kelburn, the arson attack of the Karori Police Base, a ram raid at a liquor store in Brooklyn and two burglaries at Storage King and The Tile Warehouse.

"We believe these three men broke into DTV Solutions, Main Road, Tawa, overnight, stealing a 52 inch television and may also be linked to an attempted burglary at Tawa Mower Services at the weekend and a burglary at Wellington Mowers and Chainsaws in Karori early Monday morning.

"We have a large team of detectives working on this investigation and we are determined we will find those responsible."

Acing D/S/S Dunn says Police will not tolerate this type of offending by men who clearly have total disregard for the community and the law.

Two of the offenders have been described by witnesses as male Europeans in their 20s of slim build, both wearing black hooded sweatshirts.

Police would like to hear from anyone who may have seen the red Subaru station wagon (registration number FRA21) yesterday, prior to it being burnt out in Newlands as well as any sightings of the blue Subaru Legacy station wagon (registration number DAJ817) stolen from Johnsonville overnight.

Police are also keen to hear from anyone who may have been offered cheap alcohol, following the theft of about 100 bottles of mainly Smirnoff vodka, Glenmorangie whiskey and Jagermeister were stolen in the Brooklyn ram raid.

Anyone with any information should phone Wellington Police as soon as possible on (04) 381 2000 or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.