The scene of the crime became the crime as a theft occurred in the backblocks of East Otago last month.
The Waitaki District Council has reported the theft of a building, taken from the Dunback Domain at Labour Weekend.
The building was of one of two former Boys’ Brigade buildings which had sat in the domain for many years.
In a report to the Waihemo Community Board this week, council assets operation manager Josh Rendell said council officers were informed on October 24 one of the Dunback Boys’ Brigade buildings, which were scheduled for demolition, had been removed from the site without council approval.
"The removal of property from council facilities without permission is considered theft," he said in the report.
The council had previously sought submissions from the public to buy and remove the buildings but had not received any interest.
The council would not be informing police of the incident.
Council staff undertaking investigatory works prior to demolition found the buildings contained asbestos.
Inspection of the site showed there had been contamination during the unapproved removal, so a cleanup would need to be undertaken.
The area had been taped off and contractors would go to the site soon to remove any remaining debris.
The cost of remediating the area is believed to cost more than the removal of the building.
The council declined further comment.
Waihemo Community Board chairwoman Heather McGregor said she did not know much about the theft but the buildings had been in a poor state for many years.
They were pre-fabricated so would have been easy to take down and then put together again.
"They were believed to be old army barracks and were not in good condition."
