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Avocado theft on the rise

Author
NZN,
Publish Date
Thu, 27 Jul 2017, 5:16PM
(Stock Xchng).
(Stock Xchng).

Avocado theft on the rise

Author
NZN,
Publish Date
Thu, 27 Jul 2017, 5:16PM

The cost of avocados has led to an inevitable spike in thefts of the fruit in the Bay of Plenty.

The price of avocado has jumped to $7.50 in some parts of the country and Bay of Plenty police say they have received reports of nine thefts from Tauranga and Katikati orchards since May.

Police have also discovered that some stall or store owners are turning a blind eye and on-selling stolen avocados.

For this reason, police have recently been visiting fruit and vegetable stores to talk to owners about their practices, Sergeant Trevor Brown of Western Bay of Plenty police says.

"Avocados with no stalks or long stalks are likely to be stolen, and we're asking them to be aware of where they are purchasing their fruit from," he said.

Avocado thieves could be charged with burglary if caught, and on-sellers with receiving stolen property.

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