Blue Lake thieves ruin Israeli pair's holiday | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua
Blue Lake thieves ruin Israeli pair's holiday
Israeli tourists Natalie Shtrubel (left) and Hallel Sella.PICTURE: KELVIN TEIXEIRA (211104kt5)
By ALISON BROWN in Rotorua
Thieves targeting Rotorua's tourist hotspots have once again ruined a New Zealand holiday for overseas visitors.
Israeli tourists Hallel Sella, 22, and Natalie Shtrubel, 29, have lost all their belongings after their vehicle was stolen from a car park at Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake) yesterday.
The theft, which happened as the pair were enjoying a walk around the lake between 2pm and 3pm, has left them distraught.
They arrived in Rotorua only hours before after driving from Taupo.
They parked and locked their Proton vehicle in the car park between the Blue and Green lakes.
Everything they needed for their 10-month stay in New Zealand was in the car, including camping gear, clothing, sleeping bags, CD player, books, passports and other essential travel documents.
They are most upset by losing all their photos, taken during their travels through New Zealand and Australia.
The pair had spent three months travelling around the South Island before working in vineyards in Blenheim for six months.
They left three weeks ago for Wellington then Wanganui, where Hallel broke her wrist when she fell off a trampoline.
"The North Island has been very unlucky for me," she said.
Rotorua resident Toni Withers has taken the pair under her wing after finding them stranded in the car park. Victim Support was also coming to their aid.
Ms Withers said the Blue Lake was one of the "jewels of Rotorua" and it was sad to see it targeted by thieves.
"This makes me really ashamed of Rotorua. We want to encourage tourism in this town but to see hurt caused to completely innocent people ... It's just devastating."
Rotorua police want to speak to anyone who has seen their silver vehicle, registration NO4983. People with information should ring 0800 TIPOFF.
Thieves targeting Rotorua's tourist hotspots have once again ruined a New Zealand holiday for overseas visitors.
Israeli tourists Hallel Sella, 22, and Natalie Shtrubel, 29, have lost all their belongings after their vehicle was stolen from a car park at Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake) yesterday.
The theft, which happened as the pair were enjoying a walk around the lake between 2pm and 3pm, has left them distraught.
They arrived in Rotorua only hours before after driving from Taupo.
They parked and locked their Proton vehicle in the car park between the Blue and Green lakes.
Everything they needed for their 10-month stay in New Zealand was in the car, including camping gear, clothing, sleeping bags, CD player, books, passports and other essential travel documents.
They are most upset by losing all their photos, taken during their travels through New Zealand and Australia.
The pair had spent three months travelling around the South Island before working in vineyards in Blenheim for six months.
They left three weeks ago for Wellington then Wanganui, where Hallel broke her wrist when she fell off a trampoline.
"The North Island has been very unlucky for me," she said.
Rotorua resident Toni Withers has taken the pair under her wing after finding them stranded in the car park. Victim Support was also coming to their aid.
Ms Withers said the Blue Lake was one of the "jewels of Rotorua" and it was sad to see it targeted by thieves.
"This makes me really ashamed of Rotorua. We want to encourage tourism in this town but to see hurt caused to completely innocent people ... It's just devastating."
Rotorua police want to speak to anyone who has seen their silver vehicle, registration NO4983. People with information should ring 0800 TIPOFF.
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