A 40 year old man has been charged over the alleged theft of memorial plaques worth more than $2000 from central Christchurch.

Police began investigating after several brass plaques were removed from Latimer Square and the Bridge of Remembrance overnight on 11 and 12 August.

One of the stolen plaques was from the CTV earthquake memorial in Latimer Square.

Christchurch City Council Head of Parks Rupert Bool previously confirmed to chrislynchmedia.com that the CTV memorial plaque had been taken and said the council intended to replace it using a different material.

Police later released an image of a man they wanted to identify and appealed for witnesses, CCTV and dashcam footage from the Latimer Square and Bridge of Remembrance areas.

On Tuesday, Metro Commander Superintendent Lane Todd said investigators were able to follow several lines of enquiry.

“I’m grateful for the dedication of the investigation team who linked a cyclist in the area with the thefts. A man was pulled over for not wearing a helmet just before the thefts.”

Todd said camera footage ultimately led investigators to a suspect.

“Following an eagle eyed review of camera footage we were able to make an arrest.”

The 40 year old man is due to appear in court on Friday 2 October facing theft charges.

The alleged thefts caused concern because of the significance of the memorial sites involved, particularly the CTV memorial, which commemorates the victims of the Canterbury earthquakes.