Last updated 14:46, June 7 2018
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Two women have been charged after they were allegedly involved in several burglaries at properties booked through accommodation websites (file photo).
Two women have been charged after they were allegedly involved in several burglaries at properties booked through accommodation websites (file photo).
Police are investigating whether two charged women are linked to a spate of burglaries where Christchurch rental properties were stripped bare.
The women, who were arrested in Sumner on Wednesday, were remanded in custody when they appeared before community magistrate Leigh Langridge in the Christchurch District Court on Thursday.
They each face one charge of burgling a home in Head St, Sumner, overnight on Tuesday, but police are investigating six earlier burglaries made through bookings on popular accommodation websites at the end of May.
Samadhi Kalita Lucas, 30, of Woolston, and Terangimarie A-Te-Arohuni Jury, 35, of Burnside, were remanded without plea to appear again by video-link from Christchurch Women's Prison on June 29.
Jury is also charged with assaulting a man to get away after the burglary.
Police last week said burglars had used stolen credit card details from overseas banks to book accommodation at homes throughout Christchurch before stripping them bare.
They said offenders had taken everything from the homes, including lounge suites, bedding, and whiteware.
Sergeant Colin Baillie earlier said police believed others might be involved, so were still investigating.
"We're pleased to have made two arrests, but property owners still need to take extra care," he said in a statement.
He encouraged people to ensure bookings were legitimate by asking for photo identification and having renters collect keys from an agent or a trusted person.
"Watch out for anyone who doesn't want to pick up keys in person, but asks for them to be placed in a lockbox."
Baillie also warned that credit card transactions could still go through with illegally obtained details.
He urged anyone who had been a victim of burglary after using an online booking site to contact their local police station.