Updates on crimes and police investigations for 26 June 2022.
Update: Sockburn homicide
Police can now confirm a 37-year-old man has been charged with murder after the death of a woman in Sockburn yesterday afternoon.
The man is due to appear in the Christchurch District Court tomorrrow.
Emergency services were called to Cheyenne Street in Sockburn at 4:20pm after reports a woman had been stabbed in the street.
Staff arrived shortly afterwards and provided immediate medical assistance to the woman who had been critically injured.
She sadly died at the scene a short time later.
The 37-year-old man was located by Police nearby and taken into custody.
A second man was taken into custody but was later found to be a family member of the 37-year-old man and released.
‘I can now confirm the victim was not known to the alleged offender and that this was a horrific, traumatic and random attack on an innocent person who was making their way home,’ said Canterbury District Commander Superintendent John Price.
‘Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the victim who are having to deal with the loss of a partner, mother and friend.
‘At this stage we will not be releasing any further details of the victim, until we can be sure that all necessary family notifications have been carried out.
‘We know that this incident will have been incredibly traumatic for anyone who witnessed it, and will also be unsettling for the Sockburn community and Christchurch.
‘We want to reiterate that this was an isolated incident and we are not seeking anyone else in relation to this.
‘Sockburn residents can expect to see a continued police presence in the area in the coming days, as officers conduct a scene examination and speak to possible witnesses.
‘We continue to ask anyone who witnessed the incident and is yet to speak to Police to get in touch.’
If you have cellphone footage or CCTV in that area please contact police on 105 and quote file number 220625/6903.
Update: Police shooting Kaiapoi
Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances after a man was shot by Police in Kaiapoi last night.
Police were notified of a man who was allegedly threatening a member of the public with a metal bar and knife on Williams Street around 7:20 last night.
The man allegedly attacked a Police vehicle with a metal bar on Police’s arrival at Williams Street.
Several attempts were made to deescalate the situation but the man was not cooperative and he tried to evade Police.
Tactical options including communicating with the man and the use of Taser and OC spray were deployed multiple times.
These did not have any effect on the man nor his behaviour.
The male then entered a private residential driveway and Police continued to negotiate with him.
After a period of further negotiation Police then fired multiple shots injuring the man.
Immediate first aid was provided by officers at the scene until he was transported to Christchurch Hospital by St John where he remains in a serious but stable condition.
Police will continue to have a presence at the two scenes in Kaiapoi today.
‘We urge anyone who may have seen a male carrying a metal bar or knife walking around the Williams Street and Ohoka Road areas before the incident to contact Police,’ Canterbury District Commander Superintendent John Price.
‘If you have any CCTV footage or cellphone footage please contact Police on 105.
‘We continue to provide support to the officers who attended as this will have a huge impact on them and their whānau.
‘Our officers go to work every day to keep our communities safe and protect all people from harm, this isn’t the outcome anyone wanted to happen.
‘The man’s family have been notified and are being supported by victim support and a Police family liaison officer.
‘We are unable to provide any information on his identity at this stage.’
The Independent Police Conduct Authority has been notified and both a Criminal Investigation and a Critical Incident Investigation are underway.
Update: Serious crash, Keystone Avenue, Mt Roskill
A person has died after being struck by a vehicle on Keystone Avenue in Mt Roskill this afternoon.
Police were notified of the incident, which occurred in a driveway, at 2.10pm.
Enquiries into the circumstances are under way.
Missing swimmer, Maruia Falls
The search for the missing swimmer at Maruia Falls will continue next week.
Staff have been searching the area again today in extremely challenging winter conditions, with very cold water temperatures and murky water.
The Nelson Bays Search and Rescue staff, local Nelson surf life saving crews and local river experts will continue to search the area over the coming days.
‘We’d like to thank all the people who have assisted in and who will continue to assist in the search,’ said Nelson Bays Area Commander Inspector Matt Scoles.
‘Our staff and a number of volunteers are working tirelessly to be able to locate the man so we can bring him home to his family.
‘We remain in contact with the man’s family and will continue to do so to provide them with any necessary support.’
Man who escaped custody in Levin arrested
A 41-year-old man who escaped from custody in Levin on 18 June has been located.
Palmerston North Police arrested the man at a Highbury address this afternoon.
He is scheduled to appear in Palmerston North District Court tomorrow.
