10 May 2019

$12,000 worth of almonds stolen from food bank recovered

7:38 pm on 10 May 2019

Thousands of dollars worth of scorched almonds have been found after they were stolen from a South Auckland food bank.

Police generic

Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller

The police said $12,000 worth of the almonds were taken, along with a trailer, from a property in Papatoetoe on Wednesday night.

The South Auckland Christian Food Bank had planned to put the goods into food parcels to give to families in need.

The police led out a search warrant at an address in Manurewa after an anonymous tip and found most of the almonds, unopened in boxes.

The goods are expected to be handed back to the food bank later this evening.

Sergeant Dave Grant said it was a "sweet" moment giving the treats back to the charity.

"It's great we were able to help this charity get the goods back so they can continue to help people and communities in need," he said.

They said a man, who had a warrant for arrest on another matter, has been taken in custody.

He will appear in the Manukau District Court tomorrow.