Photo: Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust
Police investigating the theft of medical gear from an ambulance helicopter in Otago this month have confirmed they have found "a trove of stolen items".
A 31-year-old Dunedin man was arrested last Wednesday after a bag containing critical medical equipment and supplies was stolen from a Queenstown rescue helicopter in Mosgiel during the early hours of 12 January.
He appeared in court the day after he was arrested facing three charges of burglary and two charges of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.
Helicopters Otago chief executive Graeme Gale was offering a $10,000 reward to anyone providing information that would lead to the return of the bag within 48 hours.
Police supplied this image of the trove of stolen items found. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police
Officers executed a search warrant at a Dunedin property on Thursday afternoon as result of their investigation.
Constable Ashley Wilson said stolen items taken during the burglaries of "multiple commercial and residential properties" earlier this month were recovered.
"A bag containing medical equipment was found in the large amount of stolen property, and it is believed all items in the bag have been recovered," he said.
Some of the stolen property identified belonged to stores including Torpedo Seven, Off the Chain Bike Shop, Chisholm Park Golf Shop, Cash Converters, and 2Degrees.
"Many other stolen items are yet to be identified and returned to their respective stores," Wilson said.
As a result of the search warrant, further charges were "likely".
The man is due to reappear on the Dunedin District Court on 4 February.
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