Police investigating a series of petrol thefts in East Auckland led to the discovery of a vehicle allegedly stolen while its owners were overseas.
Officers were carrying out a search warrant at a house in Juliet Ave in Howick when a man at the back of the property attempted to flee, Senior Sergeant Simon Cornish said.
Cornish said police believed the man was "discarding evidence in the backyard".
During his arrest, officers found a set of keys which had been thrown into an outside shed.
The find led police to an allegedly stolen Audi Q7 vehicle, parked 300m down the road.
“Following a number of inquiries it was found the vehicle had been taken during an unreported burglary at an Island View Tce property, where the owners were overseas," Cornish said.
"Police have managed to contact the homeowners to advise them of the situation.
"Safe to say they were very grateful to be made aware of what had occurred and to learn the vehicle had been recovered."
A 32-year-old man was due to appear in the Manukau District Court today facing multiple charges, including burglary, theft, receiving property, possession for supply of cannabis, and resisting police.
SHARE ME