Police updates on crimes and investigations for 1 July 2023.
Arrest following suspicious fires, Wellington
A 25-year-old man has been arrested following a series of suspicious fires in Wellington last week.
The fires occurred at Central Fire Station Oriental Parade and two separate Roxburgh Street addresses in the early hours of 21 June.
The man is scheduled to appear in Wellington District Court on charges of Arson.
He will also be appearing on charges of Wilful Damage and Aggravated Robbery.
Police arrest person in relation to Operation Kotare
One person is facing a charge of supplying methamphetamine, following the execution of a number of search warrants in relation to Operation Kotare.
Operation Kotare is an investigation into the supply of methamphetamine in the Wairoa area.
Eastern District Police executed four search warrants in Wairoa on Wednesday.
As a result, methamphetamine, cannabis, related drug paraphernalia, and cash were seized during the warrants.
A 42-year-old woman appeared in court on Thursday, charged with Possession for Supply of Methamphetamine and Amphetamine.
Wednesday’s warrants follow several others executed in Mahia last week.
Enquiries into this offending are continuing and further arrests and charges are likely.
“People who supply methamphetamine to our rangatahi and whānau in our communities will be held to account,” says Inspector Darren Paki.
“Their actions of dealing methamphetamine in our communities has far reaching consequences that they have little care for.
“While Police will always act with enforcement measures, we also recognise that to sustainably address the impact of methamphetamine, a collective and community led approach needs to be taken and that is what we need to work towards as a whole community.”
If you have any information about the supply of methamphetamine please contact Police and reference Operation Kotare.
Information can be provided via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
UPDATE – Aggravated robbery, Lower Hutt
A 48-year-old man has been arrested in relation to an aggravated robbery in Naenae on Sunday, 11 June.
At around 9.30pm a man entered the Naenae Hotel and presented a weapon at bar staff.
The man threatened staff and demanded money before leaving in a vehicle.
Yesterday, Hutt Valley Police arrested and charged the man with aggravated robbery.
He has been remanded in custody.
“The arrest is a significant development in our investigation and will bring peace of mind to the victims of the offending and the community at large,” says Detective Sergeant Charlie Munro.
“The investigation into the aggravated robbery is ongoing and Police would still like to hear from anyone who has any other information that could assist the investigation team.”
Reports can be made by via 105 – either by calling or going online to ‘Update Report’ and referencing file number 230611/8649.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800555 111.
Prolific Christchurch burglar arrested
A 26-year-old man has been arrested in relation to a number of burglaries, which have occurred in the Christchurch Hill suburbs over the past two months.
Yesterday, the Christchurch Police Tactical Crime Unit arrested the man and recovered a large amount of jewellery, as well as other valuable items.
The Tactical Crime Team are now in the process of making contact with victims of the recent burglaries to try and return the recovered stolen property.
Photos of any unidentified property will be placed on to the Canterbury Police Facebook Page at a future date in the hope it will be identified.
The man has appeared in court this morning and has been remanded in custody.
Further burglary charges are likely.
If anyone has been the subject of recent burglary and believe their property may have been recovered, we urge them to report it to Police and give as much detail as possible about the stolen items.
Please contact Police via our 105 phone service or online and reference 230630/1840.
