Police are investigating reports of thieves using unmarked tow trucks to steal cars off the street.
Thieves are pretending to be tow truck drivers as an undercover way to steal these vehicles, before dropping them off at wrecker yards.
Popular overseas in recent years, the technique has found its way here, according to a convicted Auckland car thief.
“Cars that get towed are the cars you can’t get the keys to. I know there are a bunch of guys that steal Safaris and Hiluxs, and these types of 4WD vehicles that scrap yards and car yards are willing to take for cash,” the Auckland car thief told the Herald on the basis on anonymity.
Brands like Mercedes and Audis have been found being delivered to wrecker yards and some victims say they see their cards on the back of tow trucks.
Police detective senior sergeant Karen Bright told the Herald police were currently “making enquiries” into car theft rings in South Auckland.
Toyota Hiaces are a target in particular by car thieves in South Auckland. A business owner who operates across the road from a South Auckland wreckers yard says he sees tow trucks carrying new cars enter the wreckers yard after dark multiple times a week.
“There’s a couple of 40-foot containers a week go out of there. What’s in those containers and where they go I’ve got no idea,” the owner told the Herald.
The owner insinuated gang involvement, but this has not been confirmed by police.
