Man Arrested Following Delivery Van Theft at Coffs Harbour Shopping Centre

A man has been arrested following the theft of a delivery van in Coffs Harbour today.

Police can confirm that the vehicle was stolen from Park Beach Plaza just before 11am on Tuesday.

It is understood that the driver of the vehicle had briefly parked outside the entrance near the shops on the highway side of the centre, before leaving the vehicle to make a delivery. It was at this time that the van was stolen from the location.

Coffs Clarence LAC were notified, and members from the Target Action Group and General Duties officers responded.

The vehicle was quickly located by Police in a Coffs Harbour housing estate, where officers allegedly observed the arrested man unloading the van.  He was taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station.

Coffs Clarence Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Darren Jameson said, “the van was stolen after the keys were left in the vehicle”.

He reiterated his plea to the community made earlier today with Moffee on Triple M Coffs Harbour, saying "This is a timely example of the need for the community to work with us to reduce property crime by being security aware".

"Whilst we continue to make significant reductions in crime through policing strategies, it is important that we as a community work together to drive down crime, and by simply being security aware, we can all play our part".

Det Insp. Jameson said that what this does show, is how effective, the quick actions from officers in the command, results in reducing crime.

Investigations into this matter are ongoing.