The Richmond Resource Recovery Centre has been targeted in at least five break-ins in recent months, with thieves stealing tools, copper, scrap metal and $3 cash, while causing damage to the site.
A 40-year-old man has been charged with burglary following the latest incident and has been remanded in custody. He is due to reappear in the Nelson District Court on 2 November.
Police were unable to confirm whether the man was linked to any of the previous break-ins.
The latest burglary occurred in the early hours of Friday, 21 August, when the kiosk at the Richmond facility was targeted.
Tasman District Council reported at a 10 September meeting that a door was damaged, a windowpane smashed and equipment stolen.
Only about $3 in cash is believed to have been taken, although management is still awaiting the cost of replacing the cash till.
The damaged glass is expected to cost about $400 to replace, while the cost of repairing or replacing the door has yet to be determined.
The burglary also disrupted operations for several hours while police attended the site and the council’s contractor arranged replacement equipment.
The incident was captured on CCTV and the footage was provided to police.
A council spokesperson said copper, scrap metal and tools had all been targeted during the recent spate of break-ins. A battery pack and about $1000 worth of tools were stolen in two separate incidents.
The council has also faced ongoing costs repairing fencing damaged during the burglaries.
“Like any other damage and vandalism to council owned facilities, paying for damage repairs eventually has to be met from the annual rates paid by all Tasman District property owners,” the spokesperson said.
