North Island crime spree – two men arrested

Police investigating an aggravated burglary in Kawerau early yesterday morning have now made two arrests.

Police received a report of a burglary at a commercial premises at Tarawera Mall at around 5:45am yesterday morning.

Two men, aged 24 and 19, face a raft of charges relating to this incident as well as other serious and significant offending allegedly carried out in Rotorua, Taupo, and Waikato.

They both face the following charges:

• Two charges of Arson
• Eight charges of Burglary
• Two charges of Unlawful takes a Motor Vehicle
• Failing to stop for Police
• Two charges of assault with a weapon.

The charges relate to a number of different incidents including:

• A burglary of Port Ohope Store and Café on 2 August.
• The burglary of the Edgcumbe Central Vape store in Riverslea Mall in Edgecumbe on 2 August.
• The arson of a stolen vehicle on 2 August.
• The burglary of the Rotoma Gas Station on 10 August.
• The burglary of the Warehouse in Whakatane on 16 August.
• The burglary of the Jewlz Jewellery Store in Whakatane on 16 August
• The burglary of the Edgecumbe Bay Vets on 16 August
• The burglary of the Awakeri Z Service Station on 21 August.
• The burglary of Kawarau Paper Tech Support on 25 August.
• The arson of a stolen vehicle on 25 August.

‘We hope that these arrests provide some degree of reassurance to the victims of these crimes and to the wider communities,’ said Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Wilson.

‘Police is working hard to ensure those responsible for causing harm in our communities are held accountable for their actions and placed before the courts.

‘The two men appeared in Whakatane Court this morning where they were remanded in custody until they next appear on 31 August.

‘Police investigations into these incidents remains ongoing and we cannot rule out the possibility of further charges or arrests.’