According to Senior Sergeant Craig Dinnissen, the incident occurred at 2.46am when the 19-year-old students, enrolled at a tertiary institution in Dunedin, entered the construction site on Cumberland St. They managed to steal a ute but failed to exit through the open gate. Workers on the site intervened and stopped them while they were driving around the yard.
Upon police arrival, the individuals were arrested and charged with unlawfully being in an enclosed yard. Additional charges are expected to follow.
Describing the incident as a result of “boozed up young males” engaging in foolish behavior, Sergeant Dinnissen emphasized the potential risks involved in their actions within a construction site.
The exact level of intoxication was not disclosed; however, it was evidently significant enough for the individuals to believe that stealing a vehicle from a construction site was a good idea.
The two culprits are scheduled to appear in Dunedin District Court on March 5.
For inquiries, please contact laine.priestley@odt.co.nz
