The man who allegedly posed as a Pike River miner to steal cash, clothes and a car from a North Otago family has been remanded in custody after appearing in the Timaru District Court.



Constable Craig Bennett, of Kurow, said the man was picked up by police in Timaru this morning and was charged with unlawful taking from the Tokarahi family he befriended.

A warrant for his arrest had also been issued in relation to other matters, Bennett said.



He was remanded in custody and would appear in the Christchurch District Court on January 28.



Bennett said the man had previously posed as a Pike River miner.



Police located the man after a tip off from a member of the public after the story appeared in the media this morning.



Bennett said a person read the story and realised the man was staying with family members and contacted police.



The man was hitchhiking from Dunedin on Christmas Eve when he was befriended by a family from Tokarahi, about 35 kilometres from Oamaru.



Bennett said he claimed to be a Pike River miner who had recently separated from his wife. He said the man stayed with the family for two days before leaving at night with their car and more than $2000 in cash and cheques.



The man left a note saying he was doing a "small job", but had not returned.



The family had given "everything extra that they had", including hosting the man on Christmas Day. "They actually bought a Christmas present for him because they felt sorry for him spending Christmas alone, and lent him some money to try to help him get back on his feet," Bennett said.



He said the theft had upset a "nice family".



They were not likely to fall victim easily, but the man's story was "very thorough".



He said the man was wanted by police in relation to the theft of a red 1996 Subaru Imprezza, registration DAH599, and the cashing of a $1250 cheque in Oamaru.



The vehicle would be returned to the family this afternoon, Bennett said.