Crime doesn't pay when you're trying to hide it from a tall policeman, as one local cannabis grower and thief has discovered.

Pāpāmoa Community Constable Adrian Oldham was out doing his job when he netted more than he expected.

'A couple of weeks ago I visited a male at an address to arrest him for theft,' says Constable Adrian Oldham. 'As I walked down his driveway, I was tall enough to look over his six-foot high fence and could see that his whole back lawn was full of lush cannabis bushes.”

The cannabis plants had been pinned down so that they grew outwards rather than upwards.

'I ended up arresting him and pulling out all of his cannabis. He was gobsmacked at how I had known the plants were there and was adamant that someone had ‘narked' on him.

'He refused to believe that I had seen them myself until I took him outside, stood by his fence to show him that I could in fact see into his magical garden!! After about 30 seconds he laughed and said ‘Fair cop',” says Adrian.

Someone pinching bulldog statues

Over the past week two large concrete bulldog statutes have been stolen from beside front doors, in the Pāpāmoa West area.

'One was caught on CCTV at 5.40am and Police are still trying to track down this male and the stolen dogs,” says Adrian.

He says it could be a good idea for those Pāpāmoa residents who have similar type statues or ornaments in view of the road, to move them. And recommends having CCTV cameras.

'Personal CCTV cameras at homes are certainly becoming more and more prevalent and are paying off,” says Adrian.

'I must get approached at least once or twice a week from people asking what types they should buy, where from and where they should have them installed.

'I personally think it's a great thing to have and this footage can be accessed straight away, even if you're on holiday overseas.”

CCTV, Photo: File.

He says that police 'have made some awesome arrests in the past with footage provided to us from the public”.

'Unfortunately it is a sign of the times and if you are thinking of getting some, go on-line, shop around and see what is available.”

Barbecue and tools

Also pinched is a Webber barbecue stolen overnight from an early Taylor Road address with two younger males in their late teens being seen taking it.

'I am sure this barbecue will still be in the Pāpāmoa East area, so if you know of its whereabouts or know your neighbour has recently acquired one, please let me or Bruce Banks from Neighbourhood Support know,” says Adrian.

Tools being stolen out of work vans and utes are still a problem and are beginning to resurface after a hiatus over the Christmas period.

'Please don't become complacent and place tools out of sight or inside your garages!”

Vehicles, a tractor, and even a pair of jandals from a front door have been stolen from properties this past week.

Waipuna Hospice burglary

The Waipuna Hospice Charity Shop in Domain Road was burgled at 5am on February 3 by forcing a rear door.

Waipuna Hospice Charity Shop in Domain Road. Photo: Supplied.

'A sole male was captured on CCTV committing this burglary,' says Adrian.

'A burglary is bad enough but a burglary at an Opp Shop that feeds money back into the community re Cancer related ailments is appalling! I just hope that whoever he is realises what he has actually done and who to!”

'Lowlife” stealing bicycles

'A large amount of bikes have been stolen from all over the Pāpāmoa area over the past two weeks, so please make sure you secure your bikes overnight, not to your vehicle or to a fence as these lowlife have bolt cutters, make sure they go inside the garage,” says Adrian.

Anyone who finds any of the stolen items can contact Pāpāmoa Neighbourhood Support on nspapamoa@wbopns.org.nz or Pāpāmoa Police Station on (07) 572 2440 or email adrian.oldham@police.govt.nz. Pāpāmoa Police Station is located at 530 Pāpāmoa Beach Road.