An 18-year-old Australian tourist got more than he bargained for when he attempted to leave Queenstown on Wednesday afternoon with a snowboard he had reported stolen.
Acting Senior Sergeant Kate Pirovano said the man visited the Queenstown Police Station shortly before 2pm to report the theft of his snowboard from "the middle of the CBD".
During the course of the conversation he told police he was leaving Queenstown that afternoon and due to catch his airport shuttle.
"Police obtained his flight details and [asked] the airport police to check him out [at the airport].
"He was picked up at Queenstown Airport leaving with his supposedly stolen snowboard, which was in fact broken."
The visitor was charged with making a false complaint.
Acting Snr Sgt Pirovano said it was the most recent in a long list of false complaints, and police took them "very seriously".
"Anyone who's making a false declaration, whether it's a lost property report or . . . alleging theft of any property for the purpose of making an insurance claim [is dealt with seriously]."
The matter was now being dealt with in the court system.
