Police updates on crimes and investigations for 27 September 2022.
Investigation continues into hit and run in Invercargill
Police are continuing to investigate a serious hit and run incident in Invercargill on Sunday morning (25 September 2022).
A 19-year-old male was struck by a vehicle around 6:15am on Marama Avenue South in Otatara.
He remains in Dunedin Hospital in a serious condition and we are working to support his family during this difficult time.
Police are releasing CCTV footage of a vehicle we hope to identify. We believe the vehicle was a dark coloured Toyota Hilux or similar.
The vehicle was captured on CCTV around the time of the incident and we would like to speak with the driver to see if they can help us establish what has happened.
‘We are also appealing to members of the public who know anything about what has happened or who was involved to come forward,’ said Detective Sergeant Scott MacKenzie.
‘We are keeping an open mind as to what has occurred but want answers for the man’s family.
‘Police would also remind the public that when considering if you can help with information, on Sunday morning at 2am clocks went forward an hour for daylight saving.
‘Anyone with information is asked to contact Police on 105 quoting file number 220925/5483.
Police arrest 14 people in relation to commercial burglaries
Auckland and Waikato Police have arrested 14 young people for suspected involvement in recent commercial aggravated robberies.
Auckland City Police have arrested six people following an aggravated robbery at a St Lukes retail complex last week.
The Operation Rhino investigation team have arrested and charged an 18-year-old male and five youths overnight for their involvement in an aggravated robbery of a retail store within the St Lukes complex on Tuesday 20 September 2022.
These six alleged offenders, along with two other youths, have also been charged with conspiring to commit aggravated robbery after the group was found by Police in two vehicles in East Auckland on Monday night.
A quantity of jewellery and other evidential items were located by the investigation team during a subsequent search of the vehicles.
All eight alleged offenders arrested overnight will appear in the Auckland District Court and Youth Courts respectively in due course.
An additional alleged youth offender has already been charged with their involvement in this matter, which is currently before the Youth Court.
Enquiries are ongoing into other aggravated robberies and burglaries across Auckland that Police allege the group is believed to be responsible for.
Police continue to appeal for anyone with information, including footage of any incidents, to please get in touch.
You can do that by calling Police on 105 or online using ‘Update My Report’ referencing file number 220920/9009.
Photos or video can be uploaded via this online portal.
They can also be emailed to the dedicated Operation Rhino email: oprhino@police.govt.nz.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Meanwhile, six young people were arrested following a robbery at a Hamilton bottle store.
Police were called to the store in Borman Road in Flagstaff about 6:50pm yesterday to reports the store had been robbed.
Offenders had entered the store on foot armed with weapons including machetes, tyre irons, and screwdrivers.
They threatened the shopkeepers with the weapons and made off in two vehicles. The vehicles were not used to gain entry to the store.
One of the vehicles was seen a short time later by Police staff on Hukanui Road, before it was located again on Chedworth Place.
Officers put cordons in place quickly and shortly located all six believed to have been involved in the robbery, from the two vehicles.
Some of the weapons were located inside the vehicles, and another in a nearby garden.
Two of the young people were due in Hamilton Youth Court today, while the four others are due in court tomorrow, Wednesday.
One of the people arrested in East Auckland last night (mentioned above) has been charged in relation to the aggravated robbery of Michael Hill Jeweller at The Base in Hamilton on Sunday.
Further inquiries into that robbery are ongoing.
Police recognise the community’s concern at these brazen incidents and are working tirelessly to hold offenders to account.
Update – Serious crash, Levin
Police can confirm one person has died following a crash involving a vehicle and a mobility scooter at the intersection of Queen St East and Oxford St, Levin.
The crash was reported around 2:20pm.
The road is expected to remain closed for some time while an investigation is underway.
Update – Police operation, SH35, Gisborne
A Police operation near SH35, Gisborne, is ongoing this evening.
Previous cordons near Turihaua Beach have now been stood down, and the operation has moved north.
Cordons are now in place at the intersection of Panikau Road and Whangara Road (SH35).
Police would like to reiterate that there is currently not thought to be an ongoing risk to the wider public.
The road is closed and anyone travelling through the area can expect delays.
