Const Bruce McLean said yesterday all other avenues had been exhausted in finding out who was responsible for the theft of a wallet containing two bank cards from an unlocked car outside Alpine Helicopters at Wanaka Airport some time between 11am and 7pm on August 26.
Const McLean is now appealing to the public for help.
The owner of the wallet lost $2650, which was withdrawn from two bank accounts in several transactions between August 26 and 27 before the cards were blocked, Const McLean said.
Police suspect the withdrawals were made by a male photographed by security cameras at the Cromwell ATM on August 26.
Other withdrawals were made at the South Dunedin ANZ bank, South Dunedin National Bank and the South Dunedin BNZ bank.
Security footage of the same suspect had also been provided by the BNZ, Const McLean said.
"It is unknown how the offender has gained the PIN number as the victim claims he is sure it was not in his wallet and nobody else knows it," Const McLean said.
"There were a number of confusing calls received by Alpine Helicopters, from a phone with poor reception, with a male stating he had found the victim's wallet. This was before the first withdrawal was made and again later in the night after some funds had been withdrawn.
"It is possible this was the offender calling for some reason, or someone had genuinely located the rest of the wallet, without the bank cards. We would love to know who made that call," Const McLean said.
