'Low-lifes' who stole from crash victim will be held to account - Police

Police say "low-lifes" who stole from a car crash victim while she was getting medical treatment on the roadside will be held to account. 

The woman's credit card and phone were taken - and within minutes transactions were being clocked up. 

Using pay wave, he went to work, the swipe of a card confirmed the purchase - only it wasn't his card. 

Just moments earlier, it had been snatched from inside this car wreck along with the crash victim's phone. 

"It's despicable, it's cowardly. I think it shows the two extremes of society. We had the majority of the good people there trying to help her out - getting medical treatment and looking after her and then we had some low-lifes who had gone in and taken the wallet and phone," said Inspector Tony Wakelin, Area Prevention Manager Counties Manukau Police

The crash on Cosgrove Road in Papakura left the driver of the car, Shevaughn Johnstone, with serious injuries to arm.

While the victim was being helped by paramedics, the opportunistic thieves made their move then headed to this petrol station. 

Transactions were then recorded at another two petrol stations and also at the Warehouse in Takanini.

In total, police say, the victim's credit card was used on eight separate occasions. 

"Within the space of half an hour, that card was being used," said Insp Wakelin

Incensed by such shameless criminality, the victim's partner, Murray Howell, posted on Facebook.  

"This I find to be something that is totally beyond belief...even with her bleeding out and semiconscious this piece of trash thinks its ok to RIP HER OFF! You sons of a **** were spending her money before she even made it to the hospital!!!!!"

The alleged offender, and two others, made off in a silver Subaru Legacy. 

"I'm confident that we will locate that person and speak to them," said Insp Wakelin

Murray Howell and his partner have since recovered the stolen items and told Newshub they wanted to thank police, ambulance staff and all those who helped last Thursday afternoon. 

Newshub.