Authorities in New Zealand have arrested 32 people over their involvement stealing 98 vehicles from rental company Jucy while the nation was in lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic.
New Zealand Police state that, over several days in April, thieves stole the rental vehicles from Jucy’s South Auckland car yard. Of the 98 vehicles that were stolen (it was originally reported that 97 had been taken), 90 have so far been recovered.
“Thanks to the dedicated and sustained effort from the staff involved, we have arrested and charged a total of 32 individuals with a range of offenses,” inspector Matt Srhoj, Counties Manukau West area commander, said to the NZ Herald. “This was a brazen event involving opportunistic offending on a large scale and we are pleased to be able to hold those allegedly involved to account.”
Read More: Great Jucy Heist – Thieves Stole 97 Cars From New Zealand Rental Company During Lockdown
Most of the stolen vehicles have been recovered from suburbs across Auckland. Police are continuing to search for the remaining eight vehicles but say their identifying features may have been changed.
Most of those arrested in relation to the theft has been charged with receiving stolen property as well as other charges like burglary, unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, failing to stop, and Health Act breaches.
It is understood that Jucy was unaware so many of its vehicles had been stolen until days later, when the police started to notice many of the cars being driven suspiciously on the streets of Auckland.
