Category: New Zealand Police

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Three bags choco-block full of stolen items from a Pukekohe supermarket has landed one woman in court.

Yesterday at about 2.45pm, officers were conducting a prevention patrol in the Tobin Street area when a member of the public alerted them to a woman allegedly taking a number of items from the supermarket.

Counties Manukau South Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Matt Hoyes, says officers approached a woman matching the description and a search of some nearby bushes located three bags filled with items.

“Officers found 10 tubs of mayonnaise, 13 bottles of shampoo and 66 blocks of chocolate stuffed inside the bags.

“None of the items had been paid for and she was quickly taken into custody.”

Inspector Hoyes says CCTV enquiries also assisted in the arrest.

“Offending like this is a blight in our community and we’re pleased this alleged offender will be held to account for her actions.

“We take these matters seriously and our staff will continue to target recidivist retail offenders.”

Police continue to encourage the public to report offending as it happens by calling 111.

Other matters can be reported after the fact by going online to https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105 or calling 105.

A 28-year-old woman will appear in Pukekohe District Court today charged with shoplifting.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Attribute to Inspector Lincoln Sycamore

A man faces a raft of charges after allegedly swinging a machete at Police in Napier overnight.

A 21-year-old Taradale man has been charged with dangerous driving; possession of an offensive weapon; assaulting Police; injures with intent to cause grievous bodily harm; resisting Police; threatening to kill; and driving with excess breath alcohol. He is due to appear in the Hastings District Court today, Monday 10 February.

About 1.30am, a vehicle was seen driving at speed on Kennedy Road in Napier with its headlights off. Police lost sight of the car, but a member of the public pointed Police toward Clive, where the vehicle was located travelling at double the speed limit. 

As plans were being put in place to set up cordons and stop the vehicle, it crashed into a fence on Waitangi Road, Awatoto, causing significant damage to the car and fence.  Police were not pursuing the vehicle.

A unit located the vehicle and the sole occupant, who was initially compliant. As Police approached him, the man allegedly pulled a machete from the vehicle and began chasing one of the officers while swinging the weapon.

Both officers deployed Tasers, which were ineffective in stopping the man, before he was subdued with OC spray.

Neither officer was injured by the weapon.

The officers involved were stood down for the rest of their shift. One officer was treated at the scene for a minor injury but did not require hospitalisation.

I’m incredibly proud of their efforts. They were faced with a dangerous and unpredictable situation where a moment’s delay could have been fatal. They used training and experience to bring the alleged offender into custody without serious injury to him, or themselves.

Sadly, this is a reminder of the needless violence Police face, often with little to no warning. While Police are trained to make decisions rapidly and under pressure, nothing prepares you for seeing your colleague being threatened with a machete.

I am proud of the way both officers executed their duty bravely – the community is safer because of their actions.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

A driver who allegedly fled from Police, drove with no lights on and attempted to hide inside a roof cavity, will now appear in court.

Just after midnight, an officer reported seeing a black Honda Integra travelling at speed through the Hillsborough area.

Auckland City West Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Wayne Kitcher, says the vehicle was signalled to stop but failed to do so and fled from Police.

“We did not pursue, but were able to follow the vehicle using cameras as it travelled along State Highway 20 without its lights on through the Waterview tunnel before heading west onto State Highway 16.

“The vehicle was tracked until the Police Eagle helicopter was able to continue observations as it exited the motorway towards Swanson.”

Inspector Kitcher says one occupant fled from the vehicle of Hetherington Road before the driver abandoned the vehicle on Urlrich Drive.

“The driver and another occupant then ran across a reserve and into a nearby address.

“One person was located inside the roof cavity and both occupants were taken into custody without issue.

“Police take this type of driving as a very serious risk to all road users.”

A 22-year-old will appear in Auckland District Court on 14 February charged with dangerous driving and failing to stop.

A 15-year-old has been referred to Youth Aid Services.

The vehicle was also impounded for six months.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police 

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Police can confirm one person has died following a crash in Ngāhinapōuri this evening.

The single vehicle crash on Oregan Road was reported at about 7:45pm.

One person died at the scene, a second person sustained serious injuries.

The road is currently closed while the Serious Crash Unit conduct a scene examination.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Three men have been rescued after being reported missing while rafting on the Waikaia River near Piano Flat.

Police were alerted at around 9.30pm yesterday that the men did not reach their designated pick-up point after a planned trip on the river.

After making initial enquiries overnight, Police Search and Rescue began the search at first light this morning.

Police would like to thank Fire and Emergency New Zealand for providing a Command Truck for a forward search base at Piano Flat.

Southern Lakes Helicopters – Te Anau assisted the search by providing a helicopter, which located two inflatable watercrafts in a gorge section of the river, about 6.5km north of Piano Flat.

At around 11.30am, one of the men was sighted by the helicopter near the river’s edge with a leg injury.

The other two men were located nearby a short time later, cold but otherwise uninjured.

The trio were winched from the river to safety by the helicopter and were medically assessed. The man with the leg injury was transported to hospital by Ambulance.

Police would like to thank Land Search and Rescue volunteers from Southland, Eastern Southland, Catlins, and Fiordland, alongside Amateur Radio Emergency Communications.

Police would also like to thank the public who provided vital information of the area and terrain.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

As people travel back home from the Burt Munro Challenge, we remind motorists that our highways are not racetracks and there is no prize for getting home first.

Thousands of people are leaving the Invercargill region in the coming days, prompting our reminder to drive safely so you reach your destinations safely.

Ensure you plan your journey ahead and allow plenty of travel time in case of delays. With a significant increase in traffic heading out of the region, it is crucial to keep your cool all times.

Please drive to the conditions, obey all speed limits and restrictions, don’t drive impaired and keep your phone away. If you are feeling fatigued, pull over or have somebody else drive.

If you are on a motorcycle, wear all the appropriate safety gear and check your bike is road safe before setting off.

We hope everyone enjoyed the events in our region, and if you’re on the road, expect to see us out and about, making sure everyone’s safe.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

One person has died following a serious crash in Ngahinapouri this morning.

Police were alerted to the single vehicle crash on Kakaramea Road/SH39 at around 8.55am.

Sadly, despite the efforts of emergency services, one person died at the scene.

There are no other injuries reported.

The road is closed while the Serious Crash Unit examines the scene.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible and expect delays.

ENDS

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Attribute to Detective Inspector Martin James:

There will be a visible Police presence in the Hawke’s Bay on Monday for the tangi of a senior member of the Mongrel Mob.

In the morning, the deceased will be taken from Mahora to Moteo for burial, with more than 100 gang members and associates possibly taking part.

Police have been working with whanau and gang leaders to minimise the impact to the community and the tangi itself. We have also been speaking with residents in the Mahora and Moteo Pa areas advising them of the increased presence of gang members and Police. 

Our focus for the tangi is keeping people safe, preventing or minimising disruption to the public and responding to any unlawful behaviour. Neighbouring districts are providing additional policing teams to support the operation and help us monitor the movement of gang members through the region.

Illegal, antisocial or disruptive behaviour won’t be tolerated.

Police will take every opportunity to immediately intervene and enforce the law, including the Gangs Act 2024. In instances where immediate enforcement isn’t possible, officers are instructed to gather evidence that allows us to hold people accountable for their actions.

If you are on the roads, expect to see us; Police will be running checkpoints to breath test drivers, ensure passengers are properly restrained, and check that vehicles are roadworthy.

Everyone in the community has the right to be safe and feel safe.

If you see any illegal behaviour, call police on 111 if it is happening now, or make a report at 105.police.govt.nz if it’s after the fact.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

A man has died following a crash involving a ute and a motorbike on Parihauhau Road, Parikino this afternoon.

Emergency services responded to the scene around 1:40pm.

The motorcyclist was located deceased, and the occupants of the vehicle were uninjured.

The Serious Crash Unit has completed a scene examination and the road has since reopened. 

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Cente 

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

A person has died on the northern end of Maketu Beach this afternoon.

Emergency services were advised just after 4pm today that an unresponsive male had washed up on the shoreline.

Despite immediate medical attention, he was sadly unable to be revived.

The man’s death will be referred to the Coroner.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre