A Port Chalmers man has been charged with thefts from cars at tourist hotspots around Dunedin.
Marc Weir Mitchell (31) was remanded in custody by consent without plea after appearing in the Dunedin District Court yesterday.
Mitchell was arrested by Dunedin police on Wednesday and charged with two counts of theft from vehicles.
One charge related to $1800 of possessions — including a laptop, two passports and clothing — being taken from a car in Dunedin on Wednesday.
The other was $800 of possessions — again including a passport — from a car in Dunedin on Tuesday.
Senior Sergeant Ben Butterfield said police were investigating thefts targeting cars parked in car parks at tourist hotspots around the city.
On Tuesday, a car parked at Tunnel Beach car park was broken into before noon and possessions were taken from a car parked in a car park in Tanner Rd later that day.
The arrest and thefts provided a timely reminder to tourists and Dunedin residents alike.
"We haven’t had these for a while but it’s a concern to us that they are happening again, so we will be increasing our patrols around those car parks but we need the public to be our eyes and ears as well," he said.
"We would really be stressing to people that they don’t leave valuables in their cars.
"Take them with you and anyone that does use those areas should keep a look out for anything suspicious, such as people hanging around and people loitering around those car parks. Call us straight away."
Police recovered a "significant amount of property" following the arrest.
● Dunedin police (03) 471-4800, Crimestoppers 0800 555-111.