Police believe social media challenge behind teens stealing 100 Mazdas
(Photo / Getty)
By Robin Martin for RNZ
Police suspect social media challenges are driving a spate of Mazda thefts in Taranaki.
A group of 30 teenagers - some as young as 13 - are believed to be responsible for stealing more than 100 cars of this brand since January.
The Mazda theft phenomenon first appeared in Taranaki in November and December, when up to 30 were stolen.
Since the start of the year, a total of 200 vehicles have been taken in the province - 108 of them Mazdas, many of the type usually referred to as "nana cars".