Police updates on crimes and investigations for 13 August 2022.
Arrests made in relation to Mt Roskill firearms incident
Police have arrested and charged two people in relation to a firearms incident that occurred in Mt Roskill on Wednesday morning.
An investigation has been ongoing into the incident that occurred on Fulljames Ave around 3.10am and saw one person transported to hospital with a gunshot wound.
The victim remains in hospital in a stable condition.
As a result of ongoing enquiries one 16-year-old has been arrested and charged with wounding with reckless disregard.
A second 16-year-old has been arrested and charged with reckless discharge of an airgun.
They are due to appear in the Youth Court at a later date.
Police have also recovered an airgun believed to have been used during the incident.
‘We would like to take this opportunity to thank the community for the information they have provided thus far,’ said Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Armstrong, Auckland CIB.
‘Anyone with information is asked to contact Police on 105 referencing file number 220810/4333.
‘People can also provide information anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.’
Man arrested after being caught during burglary, New Plymouth
New Plymouth police have arrested a 24-year-old man following recent burglaries at two local jewellery stores where high value items were taken.
The first burglary took place on Devon Street West on Friday 29 July and substantial damage was caused to the shop.
The man was taken into custody last night after being caught at the scene of the second burglary at a store on Devon Street East around 2:30am.
The man is due to appear in the New Plymouth District Court today on three charges of burglary including the two local burglaries and another in the Auckland area.
Police would like to thank members of the public who called police in response to suspicious behaviour.
Reports from the public meant we were able to stop any further unlawful behaviour occurring and hold this person accountable for their actions.
‘This was fantastic work from the public and police and shows what can be accomplished when we work together to prevent crime in our community,’ a statement from police read.
‘Anyone who sees suspicious behaviour is encouraged to call 111 if it is happening, or 105 after the fact.’
Drugs, firearm, and cash seized, as Police constrain unlawful behaviour in Northland
A restricted firearm, drugs, and cash have been seized, and one person has been arrested, as Police continue to enforce a zero tolerance for unlawful behaviour in Northland as part of Operation Cobalt.
Shortly before 4pm on Thursday 11 August, Northland Police observed a vehicle travelling at a high speed on State Highway 12, west of Kaikohe.
Police subsequently executed a search of the vehicle, which located a loaded .22 Semi-Automatic rifle with a prohibited “banana style” magazine, 28 grams of methamphetamine, 68 grams of cannabis, and $17,000 in cash.
A 58-year-old Northland man is due to appear in the Kaikohe District Court today on charges relating to the unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of methamphetamine for supply, and possession of cannabis for supply.
As the matter is now before the Court, Police are unable to comment further.
‘We are committed to making our communities safer from the influence and harm caused by gangs through their criminal activities and anti-social behaviour of our roads and the Operation Cobalt team are focused those behaviours,’ a statement from police read.
‘This arrest is an example of how those prepared to cause harm to our communities through drug dealing and unsafe driving.
‘Those who continue to participate in this brazen and dangerous behaviour will be apprehended by Police and held to account.
‘We welcome information from anyone who has concerns about organised crime, gang activity, or the illegal possession of firearms in their community. We rely on the eyes and ears of our community and Whanau members who can help reduce the harm in our communities.
‘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.
If it is happening now, please call 111.
Southern Alps recovery operation
Yesterday a police-led operation was initiated to recover pilot Tim Gibb, whose light plane crashed in the Southern Alps on 4 August.
Police were joined in the recovery operation by the Department of Conservation Aoraki Mount Cook Alpine Rescue Team.
Unfortunately, due to environmental factors, a recovery was not possible.
A further attempt will be made once snow and ice conditions allow.
Missing man in Waikanae Beach found
The 60-year-old man reported missing on Wednesday in the Waikanae Beach area has been found.
He is safe and is being reunited with his family.
Incident controller Senior Constable Brett Main would like to thank all the LandSAR and Amateur Radio Emergency Communications (AREC) volunteers for their dedication over the past few days.
Police were able to locate the man after receiving a report from a member of the public who recognised him from our social media post.
Homicide investigation underway in Manurewa
A homicide investigation is underway following the discovery of human remains in Manurewa Thursday afternoon.
Police were alerted to the discovery on Moncrieff Avenue around 1.30pm on Thursday 11 August, after the occupants brought unowned property to their address.
A number of Police staff have been working at the address overnight, including the Specialist Search Group.
From our enquiries so far, we can advise the occupants of the address are not believed to be involved in the incident.
Police acknowledge them for their assistance so far and we are providing support for them. Police would also ask the media to respect their privacy at this difficult time.
‘We appreciate there is significant public interest in what has occurred, however given the nature of the discovery, there are still a number of enquiries to be carried out,’ said Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Vaaelua, Counties Manukau District Crime Manager.
‘Our enquiries are continuing today, which includes an ongoing scene examination, and the local community will see an increased Police presence in the area over the next few days.
‘A post-mortem examination is underway and this is expected to be competed over the coming days.
‘The priority for Police is to confirm the identification of the deceased so that we can establish the full circumstances behind the discovery.
‘This will also lead to the advising of next of kin.
‘Given the nature of the discovery, this might take some time.
‘Police reiterate there is no immediate risk to the public in regards to this incident.
‘Police will be providing further updates as our investigation allows, however we can reassure the public our enquiry team are taking this matter extremely seriously and will investigate the matter thoroughly.’
Arrest and charges laid as part of Operation Cobalt
Four people have been arrested with Aotearoa Natives gang links as part of ongoing Operation Cobalt, targeting gangs.
The Greymouth Organised Crime Unit, supported by West Coast and Canterbury Police staff, and Corrections have executed a number of search warrants in both Greymouth and Christchurch as part of the investigation.
These warrants have disrupted gang activities, including drug dealing, intimidation, and violence, which continue to cause enormous harm in our communities.
All four have been charged jointly with arson and conspiring to commit assault with intent to injure.
In addition to these charges, the 34-year-old Aotearoa Natives President, a 26-year-old woman, and a 32-year-old-man have also been charged with conspiring to commit aggravated robbery.
The 34-year-old man has also been charged with unauthorised use of a mobile phone by a prisoner, with the 26-year-old woman and the 32-year-old-man charged with unauthorised communication with a prisoner.
The 34-year-old man is remanded in custody and scheduled to reappear on 20 September.
The 32-year-old-man and a 26-year-old man are remanded in custody and scheduled to reappear on 17 August.
The 26-year-old man is also facing charges in relation to supplying methamphetamine.
The 26-year-old woman is also due to appear on Wednesday in Greymouth District Court.
Police continue to step-up enforcement and the disruption of unlawful gang behaviour across the country as part of Operation Cobalt.
Detective Wendy Bennett says it was through information received that an investigation was launched and a series of search warrants were executed.
“This activity is a real concern, and we are very grateful to the community for bringing these issues to us,” Detective Bennett says.
“In the past, we have struggled to prosecute due to a lack of crime reported. This should send a clear message of our commitment to investigating crime and to holding anyone to account who causes harm in our community.”
West Coast Area Commander Inspector Jacqui Corner acknowledges the great work being done across the West Coast in conjunction with Operation Cobalt.
“We will continue to target and suppress unlawful gang behaviour in order to enhance the safety of our community and staff – and hold those responsible for this type of offending to account,” Inspector Jacqui Corner says.
Police rely on the eyes and ears of our community and continue to encourage people to report any unlawful behaviour.
You may think your information is inconsequential, but it could be the missing piece that enables us to put together details, which lead to a prosecution.
Information can be given to Police by contacting 111 if it is happening now and 105 after the fact.
If for whatever reason you do not want to speak to Police directly, you can contact Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online via www.crimestoppers-nz.org.
Operation Cobalt activity in Counties Manukau recovers cash, firearms and drugs
Police are continuing to disrupt illegal activity as part of Operation Cobalt, in the process seizing cash and firearms.
In Counties Manukau, enquiries continue into drug dealing occurring across the Ōtara community following successful search warrants last month.
Detective Inspector Aaron Proctor says Operation Cobalt staff recently stopped a vehicle in the Ōtara area as part of these enquiries and a search was conducted.
The vehicle was known to have links to the Tribesmen Motorcycle Gang.
“No drugs were located in the vehicle, however Police located close to $30,000 in cash in the vehicle,” says Detective Inspector Proctor.
“Police spoke with the two occupants in the vehicle and the cash has been seized.”
Neither occupant has been charged at this stage, however enquiries are continuing into the matter and charges cannot be ruled out.
Further south, a search warrant was also carried out at a rural address in Counties Manukau in relation to illegal drugs.
A search of the large property recovered two firearms, ammunition as well as quantities of methamphetamine and MDMA.
Detective Inspector Proctor says more than $4,000 in cash was recovered
“Police also located more than three kilograms of cannabis on the property, which is estimated to have a street value of around $46,000.”
A 53-year-old man, who has associations to various gangs, is now before the Court on charges relating to unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and possession of cannabis for supply.
“Police are continuing to focus on a range of illegal activities being committed by members and associates of gangs in the community,” says Detective Inspector Proctor.
“This offending has a significant impact on the wellbeing of our communities and Police reiterate that we have no tolerance for such illegal activity.”
Body located at Cape Foulwind identified
Please attribute to Nelson Bays Area Commander Inspector Matt Scoles:
Police can confirm the body located at Cape Foulwind has been identified as Mikhail Buchanan.
A formal identification process has now been completed and we can confirm the body is that of Mikhail, who went missing at Maruia Falls in June.
I want to acknowledge Mikhail’s family, who have been through an extremely distressing past few months.
We hope that by bringing Mikhail home to his whanau provides them with some closure.
