A burglary investigation has led police to a major discovery of around $40,000 worth of electronic devices believed to have been stolen from schools in Auckland.

A number of electrical devices were discovered at a property in Kelston last week believed to be from three schools in West Auckland.

A 36-year-old man has been charged with the three alleged burglaries and is in Waitākere District Court.

“Further inquiries have led our investigators to a commercial enterprise in Avondale where another search warrant was conducted this week,” said Area Investigations Manager for Waitematā West Senior Detective Sergeant Williams.

He says the company has recovered 70 laptops, tablets and other devices believed to have been stolen from schools in Auckland over the past year.

“Police have since spoken to the owner of the business as part of this investigation, which has resulted in us completing another search warrant at a property in Glendene,” Williams said.

“At this property, our personnel located a large sum of cash estimated at $100,000.”

A 41-year-old man has been charged with six counts of receiving stolen property and is due to appear in Waitākere District Court today.

According to the police, the investigation is continuing and further arrests or enforcement measures cannot be ruled out.

“These devices are an important and expensive asset to schools, so it’s extremely gratifying for the police to be able to return these items.

“I would like to thank all of the investigative staff who have worked on this case thus far.

Police will seek to return the items to their rightful owners in due course.”

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