Category: Security

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Three youths have been taken into custody after a burglary in Takapuna last night.

Police were called to a commercial premises on Hurstmere Road at around 11.05pm.

Waitematā East Area Commander, Inpsector Stefan Sagar says a stolen vehicle had been used to force entry into the building.

“Police were quickly on the scene, however the offenders had left in another stolen vehicle and enquiries got underway to locate it.

“At around 11.44pm, Police signalled the stolen vehicle to stop just before entering the State Highway One motorway near Newmarket.

“The vehicle took off at speed, and Police decided not to pursue. It was tracked and exited the motorway at Tecoma Street.”

Police quickly located the vehicle and took three offenders into custody who were hiding nearby.

The three offenders face charges relating to the burglary and stolen vehicles and will appear in the North Shore Youth Court later this month.

“We want to reassure the community that this type of offending will not be tolerated. We work hard to hold offenders to account to ensure the safety of our community,” Inspector Sagar says.

“Our communities can help us respond by reporting incidents – where there is criminal or anti-social behaviour occurring right now, call 111.”

Other information can be reported to Police on 105, or anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Tony Wright/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Please attribute to Inspector Daniel Meade:

One person has been arrested following a fleeing driver incident that ended on the South-Western Motorway this morning.

A stolen SUV was earlier sighted on Richard Pearse Drive at around 9.05am and was signalled to stop, however the driver took off at speed.

It was later sighted in the Manurewa area when reports were made to Police about the vehicle entering the Southern Motorway (SH1) going in the wrong direction near Hill Road.

Police began observing the vehicle’s movements and it was seen travelling onto the South-Western Motorway (SH20) before colliding with a truck near the Plunkett Road overbridge.

The driver exited and forcibly stole a hatchback that had come to a stop near the crash. The driver did not sustain injuries, but is understandably shaken.

By this time the Police Eagle helicopter had deployed and was monitoring this vehicle’s movements from above.

Police observed this vehicle travelling around the Māngere area at speed and spikes were successfully deployed.

The vehicle re-entered SH20 in the wrong direction on Coronation Road, narrowly avoiding other motorists. One other vehicle did sustain minor damage.

On one occasion the driver exited the vehicle and attempted to approach another vehicle but it drove off.

The driver was soon taken into custody as Police blocked the vehicle in near the Walmsley Road overbridge.

It is incredibly fortunate no member of the public was seriously injured as a result of the driver’s reckless actions this morning.

Police are working to clear the scene and there has been some impact on travel on northbound lanes. We would like to acknowledge motorists’ understanding as we responded to this incident.

The 27-year-old offender is now in Police custody and will be facing charges.

ENDS

Tony Wright/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Please attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Keith Kay, Waikato / Bay of Plenty Asset Recovery Unit:

New Zealand Police’s Waikato / Bay of Plenty Asset Recovery Unit has successfully forfeited a significant number of assets from the Taupo-based Midlands Rebels gang president, following his arrest and subsequent conviction as part of Operation Ulysses – an investigation conducted by the Rotorua Organised Crime Unit in 2019.

The Rotorua High Court has ordered the forfeiture of assets under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009 (CPRA) from James Duff, who was sentenced late last year to 15 years in jail for his lead role in a drug distribution ring.

He was convicted of 31 charges including the supply of methamphetamine, ecstasy, cannabis and LSD, unlawful possession of a firearm, perverting the course of justice and participation in an organised criminal group. An analysis of Duff’s financial affairs established he unlawfully benefited from his criminal activity to the value of $1,115,715.

The assets forfeited are:
1. A 6.3 hectare lifestyle property in Wairakei, Taupo.
2. 2007 Holden Commodore Clubsport
3. 2013 Ford Ranger utility
4. Continental Chevrolet Impala
5. 2012 Harley Davidson Night Rod motorcycle
6. 2007 Harley Davidson V-Rod motorcycle
7. 2002 Harley Davidson V-Rod motorcycle
8. 2001 Harley Davidson Softail motorcycle
9. Yamaha Waverunner Supercharged jet ski and trailer
10. More than $190,000 from bank accounts
11. 3 pieces of jewellery valued at nearly $35,000

The assets have a total value of $1,200,000. The money and sale of these items will be put into the Proceeds of Crime Fund, from which agencies can make application to fund crime prevention as well as drug and alcohol rehabilitation initiatives.

The CPRA was enacted in 2009 so that New Zealand Police could pursue assets and hold people to account so they do not benefit from proceeds of crime, in this case the significant supply of drugs to our communities often causing irreparable harm to individuals and their families. 

Organised crime is all about money, and Police are focused on targeting the proceeds of that crime. This proceeding is an excellent result and in particular for the Taupo and Bay of Plenty communities.

The Asset Recovery Unit is focused on targeting any individuals who think that they will profit from crime and cause harm and destruction in our communities.

Police are seeking help from the community to identify illicit proceeds obtained from crime. If anyone has any information which would assist Police they are encouraged to report that information in confidence either to their local Police station or via Crime Stoppers 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Attributable to Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Thompson, Manawatu CIB:

Police investigating the death of a man in Palmerston North on Sunday are seeking help from the public in tracing movements of a vehicle of interest.

Officers were called to a Croydon Ave address around 2:35pm on August 6 to reports a firearm was discharged.

A man found with critical injuries later died at the scene.

Yesterday, the man’s body was removed from the scene. Family was present for this, and a formal blessing of the site was completed.

The address has now been handed back to whanau.

A post-mortem has been completed today.

Police are continuing to investigate the man’s death, and as part of our inquiries are seeking help from the public tracking a vehicle of interest.

It is a white 2005 Nissan Teana, registration HLQ924 (pictured).

Police believe this vehicle was in the Croydon Ave area at the time of the shooting, and it was located a short time later on Aranui Road, burnt-out.

There are a number of roads this vehicle may have taken to get to Aranui Road from the Highbury area, and Police would like to hear from anyone that has CCTV which show the roads this vehicle may have travelled on.

The Nissan may have been travelling in convoy with at least one more vehicle, and likely to have been travelling at speed.

If you have any information which may help Police track the movements of this vehicle, please contact Police on 105 and quote file number 230806/2952.

ENDS 

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Police have made their first arrest, as the investigation continues to develop into the fatal events in Pt England on Saturday.

Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin, of Auckland City CIB, says a Glen Innes address was searched today.

“At the address, detectives arrested a 28-year-old man for breaching his electronically monitored bail. We have established his presence at the scene of Saturday’s violence.

“This is by no means the end of the matter, and we anticipate further arrests and charges as our investigation progresses.

“Our investigation team is determined and are continuing to piece together the facts and are committed to holding those responsible to account.”

The investigation team are also continuing to make good progress in reviewing CCTV footage.

Police continue to ask anyone with footage to get in touch and assist our investigation, Detective Inspector Baldwin says.

“The footage we have received so far has been benefitted our enquiries to date and I ask anyone that can assist us, to please come forward.”

Meanwhile, the post-mortem for the man who died at Auckland City Hospital has been completed and his body returned to family.

People with information to assist with the investigation are asked to contact Police on 105 quoting the file number 230805/0100 or by going online to https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105

Information can also be provided anonymously on 0800 555 111 via Crime Stoppers.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police