Police updates for 7 May 2022.
Police investigating sexual assault Te Aro
Wellington Police investigating a sexual assault are seeking assistance from the public.
The victim was sexually assaulted at her home in Te Aro on Saturday 23 April.
Police are following strong lines of enquiry to identify this male.
We would like to hear from anyone who was in the vicinity of Abel Smith Street between midnight and 2:30am or anyone who has any information that would assist the investigation.
Police would also like to hear from anyone who may have experienced similar offending in the Te Aro/Aro Valley area.
Anyone with information should contact Police on 105 and refer to file number 220423/9551, or call Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Trial takes family focus to youth offending
A strengthened multi-agency response is being trialled in parts of Auckland to address underlying factors that lead to young people engaging in risky behaviour and offending.
Under the trial, representatives from a number of government agencies including Police, Oranga Tamariki and the Ministry of Education, along with community providers will work together on a whānau-focused collaborative approach.
Senior Sergeant Craig Clark says planning has been underway for the past month and is based off an existing model involving a cross-agency response to family harm in the Counties Manukau District.
“Police and our partners continue to be concerned by the level of risk posed to the community and the young people themselves when they are becoming involved in stealing vehicles and committing ram-raid style burglaries,” says Senior Sergeant Clark.
Initially this trial, supported by the South Auckland Social Wellbeing Board, will work with young people and their families from across the Counties Manukau District for an initial three month period before looking at options to expand this approach across the Auckland region.
Senior Sergeant Clark says there are often complex and challenging circumstances which influence the behaviours of these children meaning a multi-disciplinary approach is required.
“Police will continue to investigate this offending when it occurs and identify those responsible, but we recognise that police alone don’t hold the solutions to preventing youth crime.”
Oranga Tamariki South Auckland Regional Manager Alison Cronin says it’s important for communities and families to lead the way with the right support in place from partner agencies.
“The majority of young people and tamariki we work with experience family violence, exposure to drugs and alcohol, truancy, mental health problems, and neuro or learning disabilities. Wrap-around support for young people and their families to address these risk factors is crucial – we know that a stable home life reduces risk.”
Safety during duck shooting season
Game bird hunting season is starting tomorrow (Saturday) and Police would like to remind people to stay safe and ensure their firearms are in good working order.
“We urge anyone heading out shooting to remind themselves of the seven rules of firearm safety,” says Superintendent Mike McIlraith, Director Partnerships: Arms Safety and Control.
“It pays to take the time to ensure you have updated yourself on safe hunting practices and that all your gear is in good, safe working condition.
“As many of the season’s shooting accidents happen on opening weekend, a safe and sensible attitude on the day can ensure a successful season for all and puts you in the best position to hunt safely and have a good time when you’re out.”
Anybody handling a firearm should always treat it as loaded; that means always pointing the firearm in a safe direction and keeping your finger outside the trigger guard.
When your firearm is not in use, Police would encourage hunters to unload the firearm and insert a chamber flag into the breech.
More hunting safety information can be found on the Police website and also on the Mountain Safety Council website(link is external). Hunters of all levels of experience are encouraged to look at this material.
Seven basic firearms safety rules:
- Treat every firearm as loaded
- Always point firearms in a safe direction
- Load a firearm only when ready to fire
- Identify your target beyond all doubt
- Check your firing zone
- Store firearms and ammunition safely
- Avoid alcohol and drugs when handling firearms.
Police seeking information on Hamilton hit-and-run
Hamilton Police investigating a hit-and-run which left a man with critical injuries are seeking help from the public.
The man in his 30s was struck by a silver Mazda car travelling at speed on Breckons Ave, Nawton about 5:30pm on Monday 2 May.
He was transported to Waikato Hospital with a life-threatening head injury, and he remains in a critical condition in hospital.
Police and Victim Support are providing support to the man’s family.
The collision was witnessed by a number of people, some of whom have already been spoken to.
Police are following good lines of inquiry but are appealing for further witnesses to come forward.
Anyone who saw what happened or has information which may help Police is asked to contact us on 105 and quote file number 220502/9642.
Name release – Tai Tapu incident
Police can now release the name of the man who died following an incident in Tai Tapu on 22 April.
He was Ralph Edwin Ogg, 71, of Tai Tapu.
Arrest made in Wairarapa grievous assault
Wairarapa police have arrested a 22-year-old man from Whanganui this evening in relation to a grievous assault that took place at a residential address in Masterton on Wednesday evening.
A man initially arrived at a commercial premises on Chapel Street with injuries and was transported to Wellington Hospital in a serious condition.
They remain in hospital and are expected to make a full recovery.
This afternoon a 22-year-old man was taken into custody and charged with Grievous Assault following the execution of a search warrant by Police.
The man is due to appear in the Masterton district Court on the Saturday 7 May.
We can reassure the public that the parties were known to each other, and the incident poses no wider risk to the community.
Name release – SH 10, Lewis Pass crash
Police can now name the person who died in a crash on State Highway 10, Lewis Pass on 12 April.
He was Brian William Carpenter, aged 56, of Rangiora.
Police extend their condolences to his family and friends.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
Appeal for witnesses following grievous assault in Hamilton
Hamilton Police are appealing for witnesses to an incident that occurred in Enderley, Hamilton this evening.
Police received a report of a man with stab wounds at a residential address on Dryden Road at 7pm.
The man was taken to hospital in a critical condition.
CIB are investigating the assault and are making initial enquiries into the incident.
Anyone who has any information that can assist Police in their enquiries, is encouraged to call 105 and quote file number 220506/4826.
Police arrest man wanted in relation to Wellington shooting
Police have this evening arrested a 29-year-old man in relation to a shooting in central Wellington on 23 April.
The man had a warrant to arrest for unlawful possession of a firearm.
He was taken into custody following the execution of a search warrant at a Flaxmere house tonight.
He will appear in Hasting District Court tomorrow (Saturday 7 May) on the firearms charge, and three charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Police have also arrested two associates of the man this evening – a 27-year-old woman and a 29-year-old woman.
Police are currently interviewing the two women and no charges have been laid as yet.
Earlier today, Police arrested an 18-year-old Porirua man, who is charged with common assault in relation to an incident that occurred immediately prior to the shooting.
He will appear in Wellington District Court on 12 May.
The two victims of the shooting who had been in a serious condition in ICU have now been moved onto wards and are both stable.
Police know this incident was concerning to Wellington residents, particularly those who live in the central city.
Police do not believe this incident is part of an ongoing gang conflict or that there is any increased risk to the public.
Investigation following Tangarakau death
Taranaki Police are investigating after the death of a man at a Tangarakau property overnight.
Emergency services were alerted about 7am this morning after the man was found deceased.
Initial indications are he has died from injuries, and his death is being treated as suspicious.
A scene examination is being carried out and enquiries will continue into the circumstances of his death.
UPDATE: Police investigating sexual assault Te Aro
The 21-year-old man Police wanted to speak to in relation to a sexual assault in Te Aro has now been located.
Enquiries into the incident are ongoing.
Information sought following sudden death, Masterton
Wairarapa Police investigating the death of a man on Masterton Castlepoint Road overnight are asking for anyone with information to come forward.
Police were called to the scene about 4.30am after the man was found unresponsive on the road.
Initial indications are that he may have been struck by a vehicle.
Police are now working to piece together the man’s movements the night before he died, and to understand the circumstances surrounding his death.
Anyone who has information that might help Police, or who has knowledge of the incident or those involved, is urged to speak to us.
You can do so by calling 105 and quoting event number P050489639.
Enforcement action taken following checkpoint in Auckland
Police in Tāmaki Makaurau are carrying out a large road policing operation today to monitor gang events taking place in the region.
Police are maintaining a visible presence in parts of central and northern Auckland, including checkpoints in the Mt Wellington and North Auckland area.
This has been very effective and we have stopped and checked every motorcycle in the convoy.
As a result of Police intervention several bikes have been impounded for a variety of offences, including driving while disqualified and driving while suspended. Additionally, vehicle plates have been seized and around 100 infringement notices are to be issued.
In general, those who Police have encountered have been compliant and vehicles have been up to the required standard.
Police have a number of ongoing enquiries and CCTV footage to review in relation to today’s events.
We would like to thank the public for their cooperation and patience, and we want to reassure the community that we don’t tolerate offending on our roads.
We are continuing to monitor group bike rides and offending on the roads will be investigated and followed up with enforcement action.
Cash, methamphetamine recovered in Kaikohe search warrants
On Thursday 5 May 2022, detectives from the Kaikohe Police station and the Far North Organised Crime Unit executed search warrants at three Kaikohe properties.
The search warrants were executed as part of the ongoing focus on gang activities in the Kaikohe and Mid North policing areas.
Police recovered $35,000 cash and 80g of methamphetamine.
A 57-year-old man with gang associations has appeared in court charged with Supplying Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine for Supply, Assault with Intent to Injure and Disorderly Behaviour.
The investigation is ongoing, and Police cannot rule out further charges being laid.
Police will continue to actively target those involved in gangs and in the supply of methamphetamine in our communities.
Police welcome information from anyone who has concerns about organised crime, the supply of illicit drugs or the illegal possession of firearms in their community.
They are encouraged to report online at 105.police.govt.nz, call Police on 105, or report anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-nz.org.
Quick thinking Eagle crew apprehend seven youths attempting to steal vehicles
Quick thinking by Police’s Eagle crew this afternoon resulted in the arrest of seven youths who were attempting to steal vehicles from members of the public on State Highway 1 in Wellsford after fleeing from Police.
The incident unfolded after members of the public observed a suspicious vehicle in Kaiwaka township shortly before 1pm today.
The car didn’t have any registration plates and was being driven at speeds well in excess of the speed limit.
Eagle staff attended and located the vehicle in the Dome Forest, and monitored the car as it travelled south, providing vital updates to ground staff.
The car subsequently changed direction and headed northbound again, and road spikes were deployed near the northern end of Dome Forest.
The car continued on for a short distance, before not being able to travel any further and coming to a stop on State Highway 1 in Wellsford, near Wayby Valley Road.
Seven youths ran from the stolen car and approached a queue of stationary vehicles that had been blocked by the youths’ car parked across the road.
The youths unsuccessfully attempted to gain access to some of these vehicles, in an attempt to make their escape in another vehicle.
With ground staff still some distance away, Eagle staff made a decision to land on farmland adjacent to the incident, just off State Highway 1.
Two officers from the helicopter ran to the scene and took the seven youths into custody before they could escape again.
“I have no doubt that the actions of our Eagle crew prevented further offending being committed by these seven youths, who were intent on securing a second stolen vehicle – and undoubtedly fleeing again,” says Inspector Jason Homan.
“We are very proud to have such high performing staff, who are so committed to keeping our communities safe. The team did a really great job today.”
