Hotel burglar caught on camera

Kathryn King | 9th March 2010

 A burglar who stole nearly $10,000 from the Aramoho Hotel in the early hours of Sunday morning has been caught ... but at this stage, only on the hotel's security camera.

Whanganui Police Senior Sergeant David Kirby said the burglar, believed to be a man, entered the hotel and stole from its safe between 4:50-5:50am.

The amount he stole was still being collated, but he was estimated to have taken between $5000-$10,000, about $1700 of which was in $2 coins.

Hotel owner Max Lightband said he had owned the hotel for about a year, and this was the first problem he'd had.

The money stolen was the float and the takings - coins and notes - from the pokie machines, he said.

"It is a lot of money."

The keys for the pokie machines were also taken, so they were re-calibrated and would be back in commission today,Mr Lightbrand said.

Thankfully, one of the hotels eight security cameras caught the burglar as he moved around the bar area.

The man is seen to be about 175 cm, with dark coloured pants, pale shoes and wearing a distinctive white hoodie with a brown or black pattern.

He also appeared to be wearing a cap under his hood.

He is believed to have been riding a chrome BMX bicycle.

Police Constable Siev Wright would like anyone who might recognise the burglar, or has information about the burglary to contact him at the Whanganui Police station, Intel section, on 349-0600.