'Polite' burglar cooks dinner, does the dishes and has a shower while stealing jewellery and a van in a home raid
- A burglar broke into a home in Hamilton and cooked before stealing from items
- Sophie Meyer said she returned from Auckland to find her house broken into
- The burglar stole Ms Meyer's van, her father's wedding ring and a bank card
- Ms Meyer appealed on social media for assistance in finding the alleged thief
A 'polite' burglar has made themselves at home by doing the dishes and having a shower before stealing jewellery and a van.
Sophie Meyer appealed for help on social media after she returned to her Hamilton home, New Zealand's North Island, to find a thief had rummaged through her belongings.
She said the burglar broke into the property while she was away in Auckland over the weekend and stole her treasured van and father's wedding ring.
Ms Meyer, who has released CCTV images of the alleged culprit, said: 'She loaded up our van with our things and then used our card at a petrol station near Auckland which is where she was caught on camera'.
The thief allegedly stole Sophie Meyer's van from her Hamilton home before driving it to Taupo where it was set on fire (pictured)
'The van has since been found in Taupo after being set on fire.'
Ms Meyer said the thief, or thieves, likely struck on Saturday evening as neighbours reported the van still at the property during the day.
'It (the house) looked like someone had been staying there,' Ms Meyer told the New Zealand Herald.
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The unwelcome guests had cooked a meal with a packed of macaroni cheese before cleaning the dishes.
Ms Meyer said the house stunk of meat and the burglars removed the home's smoke alarm.
Police on Tuesday told Ms Meyer the stolen van had been found but it was set alight.
Ms Meyer, who has released CCTV images of the alleged culprit, said: 'She loaded up our van with our things and then used our card at a petrol station near Auckland which is where she was caught on camera'
Before the update, Ms Meyer had tried to show sympathy towards the alleged robber as the bizarre theft suggested they had a 'conscience'.
'As I was trying not to get too sour I convinced myself maybe they were having a hard time, just needed something to eat, have a clean-up, and would use the van to live in. They even stole some butter and milk,' she said.
'They had opened up bags in our room, gone through them and then put them all back again. They went through a jewellery bag and left behind a locket with a photo of me and my sister, given to me by my dad. It was almost as if they had a conscience - it was really weird.'
Ms Meyer was particularly upset about the loss of the irreplaceable wedding ring - which was gifted to her after he father died when she was young.
Ms Meyer said the thief, or thieves, likely struck on Saturday evening as neighbours reported the van still at the property during the day
The CCTV images which Ms Meyer shared to Facebook show the alleged thief stop for juice at a petrol station, while wearing Ms Meyer's ski jacket.
Ms Meyer was alerted to the pit stop after the thief used her bank card for the transaction.
Police said they have been notified of the incident and spoke with the victim amid investigations.
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