Category: Security

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Attributable to Inspector Will Loughrin, Waikato Police:

Yesterday, Police received reports of multiple sightings of missing man Tom Phillips across the Waikato area.

A 2003 bronze-coloured Toyota Hilux flat-deck ute (pictured), which we believe was driven by Tom Phillips, was seen in the Pokuru area near Te Awamutu, around 12.30pm.

There was also a reported sighting of Tom later in the afternoon at Bunnings in Te Rapa, at 4pm.

The same ute was again seen in Kawhia around 6:45pm yesterday evening and believed to be driven by Tom.

Tom was involved in an altercation involving another vehicle.

Police were contacted, and responded immediately to the Kawhia area attempting to locate this vehicle, but unfortunately it was not found

Tom and his three children, Jayda (10), Maverick (8), and Ember (7), have been missing since December 2021.

Since then, Police have continued work to locate them, as our primary focus is the welfare of the three children.

We’ve received numerous pieces of information from the public, which we have followed up on over the past 18 months.

The sightings of Tom yesterday are the first confirmed sightings of him since February 2021.

This is incredibly encouraging, and we are imploring the public to please come forward with what you know.

We believe there will be people in the community helping Tom and the children, and we are urging those people to do the right thing and please come forward.

There are family who are desperately missing them, and Police want to ensure their welfare.

We’re asking anyone who may have seen the Toyota ute, anywhere in the Waikato area, over the last few days to please come forward to Police via 111 and let us know.

Please quote file number 211218/5611.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre
 

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Palmerston North Police have located one of the cars stolen from Tremaine Avenue on Sunday 30 July.

The red Ford Mustang was recovered from a rural Manawatū address that night. 

Enquiries are ongoing to locate and recover the second stolen car – a black 2018 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 model, displaying the registration plate LPD11 (pictured).

Anyone who has information which could assist our enquiries is asked to contact Police via 105 and quote file number 230730/4274.

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

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Whangārei Police are appealing for further information into an aggravated robbery, which saw arrests made yesterday.

Charges have been laid against five for the incident which occurred at a jewellery store on Cameron Street at around 3.50pm.

Police acknowledge the support of CitySafe staff who were first on scene and alerted our staff to the incident unfolding.

Detective Senior Sergeant Geoff McCarthy, of Whangārei CIB, says Police have set up an online portal for photos and video that will assist the investigation.

“It was a busy time of day and we are aware there were a number of people filming what unfolded at the store.

“Police are asking those filming or who witnessed the events to get in touch with us.”

Anyone with still images or video footage should go to the portal set up: https://cool.nc3.govt.nz

Those charged are all male aged between 15 to 19 and are before the Whangārei Youth Court.

All are jointly charged with aggravated robbery, two counts of assault with a weapon, aggravated assault and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle. Further charges are likely.

Police are also interested in other sightings of the vehicle involved, a red Mitsubishi Lancer station wagon with the registration DWA54.

The vehicle was recovered by Police yesterday. Additionally, a number of items stolen from the store were recovered.

“Police are interested in this vehicle as part of our enquiries into other offending at retail premises in Whangārei,” Detective Senior Sergeant McCarthy says.

“If anyone has additional information, we are asking you to come forward and contact us.”

Please contact Police on 105 quoting the file number 230802/8514 or contact Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Six arrests were made in Auckland overnight in relation to stolen vehicles travelling across the region.

A range of Police resources were all utilised in making the arrests in the early hours.

The first vehicle came to Police attention travelling on Highbrook Drive at around 1.40am.

Assistant Commissioner Sam Hoyle says Police were deployed into the area and located the stolen vehicle.

“The driver fled at speed upon seeing our staff arrive. The Police Eagle helicopter had also deployed and continued to observe the vehicle’s movements.

“It travelled into the Ōtara area, where a passenger exited and the vehicle was abandoned.”

Police took both the driver, a 35-year-old man, and the 32-year-old female passenger into custody.

Meanwhile, in Auckland City, another stolen vehicle was sighted in Eden Terrace at 3.20am.

Eagle again deployed and continued to monitor the vehicle’s movements towards the South-Western Motorway, Assistant Commissioner Hoyle says.

“The vehicle lost control trying to avoid spikes on the Maioro Street onramp, before continuing south.

“Eagle continued to observe the vehicle drive erratically on the Southern Motorway. Spikes were successfully deployed on multiple occasions in Takanini and Hill Road.”

Eventually, the vehicle came to a stop in Clover Park. Two men, aged 32 and 33, were arrested at the scene.

Police later responded to a report of a crash on the North-Western Motorway on west-bound lanes passed St Lukes at around 4.30am.

Three people were seen running away from the vehicle, which was stolen.

“A dog unit deployed to the scene and they carried out extensive enquiries to locate this group,” Assistant Commissioner Hoyle says.

“After a lengthy period of tracking, the dog handler located two male offenders and took them into custody near Mt Albert.

Charges are pending for the pair, aged 15 and 18.

“I would like to acknowledge the work by the range of staff from across Tāmaki Makaurau involved in holding these offenders to account,” Assistant Commissioner Hoyle says.

“A range of Police staff were involved in these incidents including our frontline staff, road policing, Eagle helicopter and dog handlers.”

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Police will resume the search for Yanfei Bao as the water levels in locations of interest have now subsided.

Police Search and Rescue and Dive Squad are involved, along with an aerial search. 

Other enquiries have continued to progress as Police receive information about Ms Bao’s disappearance.

Staff are dedicated to piecing together the circumstances of the investigation and we remain interested in any information relating to sightings of a silver Mitsubishi sedan with the registration DPH101, particularly on Thursday 20 July.

Information can be given to Police via 105, either by calling or going online to https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105 using ‘Update Report’.

Please reference file number 230720/5911.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre.

Statement on behalf of the Bao Family:

The family of Yanfei Bao would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to their family, friends and the general public for the outpouring of kind words and unwavering support following the disappearance of their beloved wife and mother.

The love and compassion displayed by fellow New Zealanders has been truly humbling, and the Bao family cannot express how grateful they are for all the generous donations made through ‘Givealittle’.

This generosity will help ease the burden on their family during these trying times.

In their time of crisis, the Bao family would also like to express their sincere appreciation to the Police for their invaluable support and relentless dedication in the search for their missing loved one, Yanfei.

The family urges anyone with information that could assist the police in locating Yanfei to come forward as soon as possible.

Their only desire is to have her returned to them, so they can find closure and begin the grieving process.

Amid this harrowing experience, the Bao family encourages everyone to cherish their loved ones and express their feelings openly.

Yanfei’s husband Paul Gooch urges people to “go home tonight and tell all those you hold dear that you love and cherish them.”

The family of Yanfei Bao wishes to thank each and every person who has shown support during this challenging time.

Your acts of kindness have given them strength, and they remain hopeful for Yanfei’s return. 

ENDS

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

One person has died in a crash at the Onaero Bridge, between Urenui and Motunui, this morning.

The two car crash was reported to Police at 6.40am.

One other person was seriously injured and transported to hospital.

State Highway 3 remains closed near the Onaero Road intersection and there are no diversions in place.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

The search is resuming today for a man reported missing in the Mount Holdsworth area.

Michael MacGregor was last seen at the Rocky Lookout around 12:20pm on Monday.

Today’s search will be localised around the Atiwhakatu Stream and Lower Holdsworth area.

Several LandSAR volunteer teams are aiding the Police-led search and rescue operation, and Amateur Radio Emergency Communications volunteers are providing support.

Weather conditions in the area continue to be challenging.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter with thermal imaging has been deployed and a drone may be used – however these are both weather-dependent.

An appeal to the public for information that would assist Police has had a great response, and Police are very grateful to all who came forward.

However, we’d still welcome anyone who may have seen Michael or who has information to call Police on 111, quoting event number P055522968.

ENDS

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Police are responding to a multiple vehicle crash on Wellington’s Urban Motorway.

The crash occurred at around 7.08am on the southbound side, just past the Hawkestone Street on-ramp.

One southbound lane has been closed.

Traffic management is being put in place and motorists are advised to expect delays.

ENDS

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

District: