Police updates – Beerescourt aggravated robbery, Invercargill disorder incident

Police updates on crimes and investigations for Saturday 1 October 2022.

Reminder to drive to the conditions, Rotorua

Police are reminding motorists to drive to the conditions in the Rotorua area due to bad weather.

There is a slip on SH 5, Ngongotaha Valley, and surface flooding across the area.

Driving to the conditions means:

• Increasing your following distance.
• It takes longer to stop in the rain.
• Taking care while on the road.
• Delaying unnecessary travel if you can.
• Putting your headlights on – make yourself visible to other drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
• Slow down – take your time, be patient, allow extra time, arrive safely.

Information sought following aggravated robbery, Beerescourt

Hamilton Police are investigating after an aggravated robbery at a Beerescourt premises late last night.

Police were called to the Victoria Street premises about 11pm, after two men reportedly entered the premises and presented a knife to a staff member.

They have demanded cash and left on foot, heading along Macdairmid Road towards Beerescourt Road.

There were no injuries during the incident, but the staff member was understandably shaken.

Police are now appealing to anyone in the area for information about the incident or those involved.

If you witnessed anyone behaving suspiciously in the area around the time, or if you have information about those involved, please get in touch.

You should call 105 or make a report online using Update My Report, quoting file number 221001/6972.

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

Police patrols at shopping centres continue

Police will continue to have focused foot and vehicle patrols around retail shopping centres and malls, as New Zealanders head into the school holiday period from this weekend.

We acknowledge there have been incidents at some shopping centres during opening hours recently, which has rightly caused concern amongst the community.

Police work with management and retailers at shopping centres across our cities on a regular and ongoing basis, providing advice to help keep their stores secure.

We have also deployed additional staff where necessary. Our staff have increased patrols in shopping malls and retail areas that have been the target of recent offending.

While shopping malls often employ their own security personnel to provide reassurance and a preventative presence in the mall, Police always takes the lead in responding to criminal activity.

There continue to be individuals within our communities who think it is acceptable to unlawfully take property and threaten or harm others.

Police work hard to hold these individuals accountable for their actions, responding quickly when offences occur and bringing offenders before the courts.

Arrest in Invercargill incident

Invercargill Police have arrested an 18-year-old man following a disorder incident at a property on Steel Road, Lorneville, last night.

One person was transported to hospital in a critical condition and two others sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

The parties involved are understood to be known to each other.

A scene guard was in place at the address overnight.

The 18-year-old man is charged with wounding with intent to commit grievous bodily harm and is expected to appear in Invercargill District Court on 3 October.