[MSN] A man claiming to be one of the thieves who took war medals from the Waiouru Army Museum has given an interview.

[MSN]

 A man claiming to be one of the thieves who took war medals from the
Waiouru Army Museum has given an interview.

Ninety six medals, including Victoria Crosses, were taken in the early
morning smash and grab on 2 December. They have been returned undamaged.

TV3 says it used an actor's voice to stand in for the man but did not change
his answers in any way.

The man told TV3 on Thursday that the thieves now regret taking the medals.

He says they knew the value of the medals, but they did not expect the
public reaction to the theft to be so huge.

TV3 says no money was paid for the interview.

Meanwhile, a criminal lawyer says police frequently reward criminals for
providing information and the only difference in the case of the stolen war
medals is that it has come out in the open.

A gang member facing drugs charges is on bail after helping to negotiate the
return the medals.

They were handed over last week and an unknown amount of an $NZ300,000
reward has been paid.

Lawyer Barry Hart says criminals would not benefit before the medals were
returned in a perfect world - but this is not a perfect world.

He thinks it is unfair to level criticism and says people should be grateful
that the medals are back safely.

National Party leader John Key asked in Parliament on Wednesday why bail was
granted to Daniel Crichton - a former Black Power gang member now linked to
the Headhunters.

Prime Minister Helen Clark replied that was an operational matter and the
decision had been made by a judge.
No dodgy deal, says former detective

Former Detective Inspector Graeme Bell led the investigation into the theft
of the Urewera Triptych by Colin McCahon from a visitors' centre at Lake
Waikaremoana in 1997.

He told Morning Report on Thursday he is confident there are no dodgy
aspects to the police investigation into the war medals.

Meanwhile, the son of Victoria Cross recipient Keith Elliot says he does not
care what deals were done for the return of the medals.

Doug Elliot says he is just delighted that his late father's medals are back
and perhaps it proves there is some honour among thieves.

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