Police updates for 21 April 2022.
Blenheim Police arrest man following operation targeting supply of methamphetamine
Blenheim Police have arrested and charged a 41-year-old man following a three month-long investigation into the supply of methamphetamine, known as Operation DES.
The operation focused on suspected methamphetamine dealing near a school in Blenheim.
Early on the morning of Wednesday 20 April Police executed a search warrant at a Whitney Street property.
The 41-year-old man has been charged with offering to supply methamphetamine and selling cannabis. Further charges are likely.
Later that morning Blenheim Police executed a second search warrant in Springlands, Blenheim which was related to his offending.
During the search warrants, Police seized cannabis and items consistent with the distribution of methamphetamine.
The man has been remanded in custody and will appear in Blenheim District Court today (Thursday 21 April).
Police are committed to helping protect the Marlborough community from drug harm.
Individuals involved in this offending profit from the destruction and social harm that methamphetamine causes, with no regard for those they have affected.
Anyone who has concerns about criminal activity in their community can contact Police by calling 111 if it is happening now, and 105 if it has already happened.
Information can also be reported to your local police station or to Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Further arrests in Operation Shadow
Waikato Police undertook a significant operation focusing on illegal street racing activity across the Waikato district on Thursday 14 April.
“The operation involved Police staff from all over the North Island and vehicle inspectors from Waka Kotahi,” says Will Loughrin, Waikato West Area Commander.
“This phase of the ongoing Operation Shadow focused primarily on the safety and compliance of vehicles associated with a group of anti-social road users. We know these vehicles are often heavily modified, and while many have been done legally and well, some take shortcuts and this can have unexpected consequences.”
“For example, if you lower a vehicle this can negatively impact the vehicle’s ability to steer, brake, and corner and can have unexpected effects on these components. Cars are designed to work as a unit, as a whole, and not be altered.”
The operation stretched well into the early hours of Easter Friday morning and yielded significant results.
Six vehicles were ordered off the road as defective or unsafe, six further vehicles were impounded by Police and 42 infringement notices were issued.
A stolen vehicle was recovered by Police, two drivers are facing drink driving charges, and one person was arrested for drug offending.
“Most pleasing is the immediate effect that the operation had on illegal street racing, with just only one complaint of illegal street racing activity that evening. This is a real positive for the community,” Inspector Loughrin says.
Operation Shadow commenced in July 2019 with a focus on illegal street racing in the Waikato District. The operation is ongoing, with no set end-date.
Police accept IPCA findings into mishandling during arrest
Police acknowledge and accept the findings of an Independent Police Conduct Authority report into mishandling during an arrest in Auckland last year.
Just after 3.30am on 29 March 2021, Police witnessed a vehicle travelling through Auckland City at an excessive speed and through a red light. Police attempted to stop the vehicle, however it has failed to stop.
Police elected not to pursue, though the Police Eagle helicopter provided observations of the vehicle’s movements, with assistance from Auckland CCTV cameras.
The vehicle was eventually spiked in Silverdale, and subsequently came to a stop a short distance away.
The IPCA found our decision not to pursue, and to monitor the vehicle and deploy spikes when safe, as appropriate in the circumstances.
Six youths were located in the car, and all were apprehended by Police. While Police were removing the young people from the car, one person was placed on the ground and had handcuffs applied.
During this process he received a cut to his forehead and a broken left wrist. None of the other youths were injured.
The IPCA found the mishandling of the individual unnecessary and was therefore unreasonable.
Police acknowledge and accept these findings.
Police note the IPCA acknowledges the officer did not deliberately harm the offender, accepting the officer’s explanation that he lost physical control of the youth when pulling him from the car, resulting in a heavy fall to the ground and the injuries received.
Additionally, the IPCA did not believe there was a kick or stomp on the youth, which was initially alleged following the incident.
Further appeal for information to help identify deceased woman
Work is continuing to identify a woman found deceased near Charleston on Tuesday 19 April.
Police are grateful to everyone who has gotten in touch with us since tbeir appeal for information yesterday.
The information provided so far has given us some positive lines of enquiry.
To assist ongoing enquiries, Police would like to identify the owner of a drone seen flying in the Constant Bay/Doctor Bay area on Saturday 9 April.
Police would also like to hear from anyone who was in that area between 7 – 9 April, who may have seen a person matching the description of the deceased woman.
If you can help, please get in touch via 105 and quote file number 220420/6925.
Manawatū Police continue to investigate incident in Shannon
Police continuing to investigate an incident in Shannon yesterday are seeking sightings of a man north of the town in the early evening.
A man was transported to Palmerston North Hospital shortly after 6:30pm with moderate injuries.
A scene examination is ongoing in Plimmer Terrace today as Police piece together what led to the man being injured.
Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Thompson says Police are continuing to speak with a number of witnesses.
While the man was located injured at the Four Square on Plimmer Terrace, Police do not believe that is where he was injured.
“We are also seeking sightings from the public of a man walking along the side of the road about 1km north of Shannon between 5:30-6:30pm yesterday,” Detective Senior Sergeant Thompson says.
“We do not believe there is any particular risk to residents in Shannon, as this appears to have been an isolated incident.”
Anyone who saw the man walking north of Shannon yesterday is asked to please contact Police on 105 and quote file number 220421/0735.
Appeal for sightings of car in Nelson
Nelson Police are appealing for sightings of a white Toyota Corolla, registration number MNT296, following an incident at Nelson Airport this morning.
The car was seen leaving the airport shortly after 11am today.
Police have concerns for the welfare of the driver.
If you can help, please call 111 and quote event number P050318269.
Arrest made after Hamilton assault
A woman has appeared in court in relation to an assault at the Kmart store in central Hamilton on Saturday.
A 24-year-old woman was arrested by Waikato Police on Wednesday.
She is facing charges of aggravated assault, aggravated injury, shoplifting and theft.
She appeared in Hamilton District Court on Wednesday afternoon where she was remanded in custody to reappear on May 2.
Police have also identified a second offender – a 26-year-old woman – who is currently wanted to arrest. Inquiries are continuing to locate this woman.
Man arrested after traffic offending in Timaru
A 34-year-old man has been taken into custody following a crash in central Timaru, and multiple reports of unsafe driving.
The crash happened at the intersection of Theodosia and Arthur Streets around 11:45am.
Before this, Police had received multiple reports of a black Holden Commodore being driven in a dangerous manner throughout Timaru.
Local staff were deployed to locate the car as multiple reports continued to be received.
A police patrol vehicle looking for the car in Parkside was rammed by the black Holden, before the vehicle took off at high speed. Police staff were not injured but the patrol vehicle sustained minor damage.
The black vehicle was sighted again travelling west at high speed on Arthur Street, when it then went through the intersection with Theodosia Street and collided with another car travelling north.
The occupants of the second car were taken to hospital for assessment, but were not badly injured.
The driver of the black Holden was immediately taken into custody and is facing multiple, serious charges.
Timaru Police would like to thank the members of the public who called Police to report the unsafe driving. These reports to Police allowed our staff to respond promptly.
Anyone who witnesses unsafe driving is asked to phone Police immediately, to help us keep our roads safe and apprehend those who pose a risk to others on the road.
Arrests made following burglaries, Whanganui
Whanganui Police have arrested three young people following a series of incidents in the early hours of yesterday, including two burglaries where a vehicle was used to gain entry.
The group allegedly stole the car from Whanganui Hospital between 11pm and 1am Wednesday 20 April.
At about 1.20am they allegedly burgled a café in Westmere, where property was stolen.
Some time later the trio allegedly broke into a service station on Taupo Quay, Whanganui, where further items were taken.
The trio also allegedly attempted to enter a third premises – another service station – however this was unsuccessful.
Whanganui Police investigating these incidents worked swiftly to make arrests later the same day.
Three young people will appear before the Youth Court on a number of charges relating to the incidents.
Police acknowledge this type of offending causes concern in our communities, and it will not be tolerated.
As the matter is now before the courts, Police will not be commenting further.
