What a difference a day makes - and the Police who work weekends!

Auckland City Police yesterday afternoon returned a Freeman's Bay family's electronic equipment and Christmas presents after locating a man - in the same neighbourhood - who was in possession of them, within hours of a burglary being reported.

The family woke at 6am to discover their home had been burgled during the night, precious gifts and equipment all missing.

They reported the loss to Police shortly afterwards and went home thinking there was little chance they'd see most of their possessions again.

Not so!

The owner of a mobile 'phone taken from the property was notified by Google that an account had been established - but not in her name.

She reported the name to Police who duly checked the named person's address and, by about 3pm, all property and professionally rewrapped presents had been handed over to the Freeman's Bay family.

Auckland Central Area Commander, Inspector Jill Rogers, says staff took as much pleasure out of returning the family's presents and other equipment as the family got from getting them back.

A 44-year-old Freeman's Bay man was arrested yesterday afternoon and will be kept in Police custody until he appears in the Auckland District Court onm Monday charged with burglary.

Source: New Zealand Police.