Safe found smashed open on beach Fri 31 Jan A group of tourists whose valuables were stolen during a motel safe robbery this week are “elated” that all of their passports have been found. Between Sunday night and Monday morning, someone broke into the Kiikii Motel and carried off a safe containing cash, jewellery, bank cards, driver’s licences and passports. Two of the couples affected – from Canada and Norway – have been visiting the Cook Islands and staying at the Kiikii Motel on and off for years. The other Canadian couple is marrying in June and came to the Cook Islands for an early honeymoon. Their onward journey to South America looked in jeopardy after having their passports stolen. On Wednesday morning, police informed the group that the safe had been found on the beach not far from the Kiikii Motel. “The safe was broken open and we got some money back,” said David Sims, from Canada. He said all the jewellery and New Zealand currency was gone but many of the other currencies had been left behind. The visitors are “elated” that all six passports were sitting in the safe untouched. “I think they just sorted through it quickly and took any currency or jewellery they could get rid of and ran,” Sims said. Sim’s son David and his fiance Donata Platen may now be able to carry on with their four-month honeymoon in South America. The only problem is they had already cancelled their passports and are hoping they can get them reinstated. Sims said the group is “very pleased” with the Cook Islands Police service. “They got results pretty quickly.” He said police told him they were holding a suspect but this man had been released. The police said they did not want to comment on the case. It is not known whether police or a member of the public found the safe. Sims said he has been speaking to other tourists and “a lot of people are getting scared”. Another Swedish tourist who has been visiting the Cook Islands for many years told him she is now worried about coming back, Sims said. “The government needs to do something.” He said every guest room on the island should have its own safe, and one that is bolted to the floor. Yesterday, Kiikii Motel owner Pauline Napa said the robbery had left her feeling deeply upset for her guests and worried about how the incident will impact on her business. “These are repeat customers and it doesn’t make me look good. I know these people personally and they’ve been coming back for 10 years.” She is concerned about the number of robberies on the island. “It’s getting worse. All I hear about is thieving here and thieving there. We’re getting a bad name and it’s going to affect our tourism.” Anyone who knows anything about the case can phone the confidential Crime Stoppers number 0800 222 00.
Posted on: Sun, 09 Feb 2014 23:02:26 +0000
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