An alleged car thief has been charged after a Defence Force (NZDF) vehicle was stolen in Manawatu overnight.
The vehicle was located down a bank near Levin, police said on Saturday morning, after reporting the white Toyota Hi-Ace van stolen.
On Saturday afternoon, police said in a statement a 23-year-old man had been charged with a number of offences including two counts of unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, burglary, and the theft of a motor vehicle.
"He is due to appear in the Palmerston North District Court on Monday," the statement said, adding it's believed the theft was "opportunistic" rather than deliberately targeting the NZDF.
