Police updates on crimes and investigations for 29 September 2022.
Arrest following incident in Totara Street, Gisborne
Gisborne Police have made an arrest after two youths and a young woman were injured in a shooting in Gisborne last night.
Police received multiple calls from around 9:45pm last night, reporting multiple gunshots at a property on Totara Street.
The two youths and woman, who were outside the property at the time, later presented to Gisborne Hospital with gunshot-related injuries.
One youth, a teenager, was seriously injured and remains in hospital.
A 12-year-old was less seriously injured and has been discharged to her whanau.
The woman sustained moderate injuries and remains in hospital.
There was a large gathering of gang members and associates at the property at the time.
Police are in the early stages of determining the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
An 18-year-old man was arrested yesterday evening and charged with possession of an offensive weapon and unlawfully possessing ammunition. He is due in the Gisborne District Court on October 3.
Investigations are ongoing.
‘We understand the distress these incidents cause in the local community and we want to reassure locals we are working hard to hold offenders to account,’ said Inspector Sam Aberahama, Tairāwhiti Area Commander.
‘This behaviour is completely unacceptable and is incredibly concerning when young people are injured as a result.
‘Police are in the area continuing our investigation and providing reassurance patrols.
‘There have been several high-profile firearms events in Gisborne this year in which women and children have been injured or killed as a result.
‘Two people are before the courts in relation to a homicide in March, while a homicide in July remains under investigation.
‘We would like to remind the community to report any incidents of concern so Police can intervene before it escalates.
‘Any information is helpful. If it is happening now, please call 111, and other information can be provided to 105 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.’
Appeal for information following Masterton assault
Police are appealing to the public for any information that might help our investigation into an assault in Masterton earlier this week.
Shortly before 10pm on Monday 26 September, two young men on foot were confronted by a driver near the intersection of High and Manchester Streets.
The driver, who was in a black ute, pursued one of the men into Leeds Place, and has then reportedly exited his vehicle and assaulted him.
The victim suffered a badly broken leg, which required surgery. He is now recovering in Masterton hospital.
Police are now seeking sightings of two vehicles believed to be connected to this incident.
The first is the black ute being driven by the alleged offender at the time of the assault. It is described as an older Ford or Nissan utility, with items on the tray under a tarpaulin.
The second vehicle is a red older model utility with a flat deck.
Police are investigating a possible link between this incident and the unlawful interference of a vehicle on High St shortly before.
‘We would like to hear from anyone in the Solway area who may have seen these vehicles in the area around the time of the incident,’ said Detective Senior Sergeant Tim Leitch, Investigations Manager, Wairarapa CIB.
‘We are also asking to hear from anyone who may have had their vehicle interfered with in the area that night, and who has not yet reported it to Police.
‘Finally, if you have a private CCTV camera in the area that might have captured what has occurred, we would like to speak with you.
‘Please contact Police by phoning 105 and quoting file number 220927/1369.
Road policing operation – Alexandra Blossom Festival
Otago Lakes District Police were pleased to find most drivers keeping safe during a recent road policing operation in Central Otago during the Alexandra Blossom Festival.
Over three days from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 September, Police staff conducted checks of more than 1200 drivers.
Checkpoints were set up in Ettrick and Cromwell across the period, and there was increased Police presence on the roads.
The checkpoints focused on the key elements of keeping people safe on the roads: restraint, impairment, distracted drivers and speed.
Generally those stopped were found to be complying with the law.
However it was disappointing to find the message about road safety is still not getting through to some people, says Southern District Road Policing Manager Inspector James Ure.
“Thirty offences were detected and ticketed in the three-day period, including four occasions in which drivers were dangerously impaired by alcohol, returning evidential breath alcohol tests in excess of the legal limit.
“While that number might not seem so high out of 1200 vehicles, that’s 30 cases where safety has been compromised, and someone’s life potentially put at risk.
“We are asking you again – please, buckle up, put down the mobile phone, slow down, and if you’ve been drinking, using drugs, or you’re excessively tired, please don’t get behind the wheel.
“It’s not just a matter of avoiding a ticket – it might save your life.”
