Two young people have been arrested following an alleged serious assault and a vehicle incident in Kawerau, Bay of Plenty, on Wednesday night.
At about 11.45pm Police spotted a vehicle of interest. The occupants were wearing balaclavas and allegedly swerved towards Police cars.
The vehicle eventually came to a stop in Kawerau after spikes were deployed on State Highway 30, near Te Teko, and the offenders fled on foot. They were caught a short time later by the Police Dog Unit.
Further enquiries determined one of the alleged offenders was also responsible for a serious assault involving a hammer at the Plains Hotel in Edgecumbe on Friday 23 October 2026.
A 17-year-old is facing three charges including wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, assault with a weapon and unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle. Today he pleaded guilty to all charges and has been remanded on bail for sentencing in the Whakatane District Court.
A 16-year-old has been referred to the youth justice process and faces possession of an offensive weapon and unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle charges.
Eastern Bay of Plenty Prevention Manager Inspector Phil Gillbanks says Police are pleased to have acted quickly to identify and apprehend those responsible.
“I would like to commend the sense of urgency shown by our staff in resolving this serious assault and bringing the alleged offender into custody.
“The victim, their whānau, and the wider Edgecumbe community have understandably been impacted by this incident, and we hope today’s arrests provide some reassurance.
“The actions of these young people presented a significant risk to public safety. Had they not been stopped, there is little doubt they may have gone on to create further victims in our community.
“The successful outcome is a credit to the professionalism, teamwork, and determination of our staff, who remained focused on protecting and supporting the Eastern Bay of Plenty community.”
Image credit: iMattSmart
More gang-related shennangans & hoonish hoodlums…?
Where are the elders? Where are the tawses, straps and paddles? OH…I forgot; the Green Party legislated parental rights away 15+ years ago!!!!
I carry a Ball Peen Hammer in my car; that way if I go off into the Waimakariri River like I almost did in the 22 February aftershock, I can at least have enough swinging mass to break out my window(s) and escape a flooded car!!
& yes, I have a lanyard attacked to the same. Does THAT make it a ‘weapon’?
Is my Swiss Army Knife with a 9.8cm blade length a …(wait for it…wait for it…!) WEAPON??? No, it isn’t!
Is my Parker Pen a ‘WEAPON’??
What about my steak knife at home; is that a ‘WEAPON”??
Or my screwdrivers in my tool kit; are these ‘WEAPONS’??
‘Lost in the translation and interpretation of the laws that address the above are all BULLSHIT!
It just depends on the mood and interrogatories of those who continue to take away our rights to ANYTHING!
Check out the British female cops below; totally unprofessional, inept, and profoundly IGNORANT OF THE LAWS THAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO ENFORCE!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knDrSpAaneM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVjRkerCGJQ
Then, we have this…!
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/CbcXB4jY_g4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUtuRGqNsQ8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNsWHQ3b2fk
THIS IS WHY I VOTED FOR THE NEW ZEALAND LOYAL PARTY THIS PAST MONDAY!
Nasty little piece of work, there is no reason to use a hammer on someone, utterly inexcusable!