A quick-thinking Sergeant has rescued Inglewood’s beloved Pink Panther statue after it was allegedly stolen overnight.
After a member of the public reported the theft and described the getaway vehicle, Police located and stopped it a short time later.
Three people were taken into custody, and the statue was safely returned to its rightful home.
NZ Police have sent out a pun-filled press release about the incident, as follows:
A community icon has been rescued overnight, after a keen-eyed Sergeant intercepted a mastermind heist.
The target: Inglewood’s famous Pink Panther statue.
The situation began unfolding about 10.15pm, when a member of the public reported seeing two men making off with the purr-iceless piece on Tawa Street.
They were able to describe the vehicle involved, a white Ford Ranger, giving Police an important lead.
A short time later, Sergeant Holly Robertson was on the prowl and saw a vehicle matching the description north of Stratford.
She immediately formulated a plan to intercept the purrpetrators, and the vehicle was stopped and searched with the assistance of other staff.
Three occupants were taken into custody.
Claw and order was restored as the asset was safely recovered, and it was returned to the dairy where it is usually located.
Area Commander Inspector Mark Miller says Sergeant Roberton’s actions prevented a cat-astrophe.
“We know how beloved the statue is by locals, and how gutted they’d be if it were to disappear – this is community Policing in action and I’m proud to have such awesome staff working hard to stop crime in its tracks.”
You could say it was a pawsome result!
