Source: New Zealand Police
Location:
One person has died after the earlier single-vehicle crash on Rotowaro Road, Huntly.
The road remains closed while emergency services work at the scene.
Motorists should continue to avoid the area.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Two people have been arrested after a search warrant in relation to a number of stolen vehicles in the Te Kauwhata area.
Today, Police executed a search warrant at a Te Kauwhata address and conducted enquiries in Ngaruawahia, where an 18-year-old man and a youth were taken into custody.
During the search warrant, Police located a number of items believed to have been stolen, including clothing and alcohol.
Police understands the harm and inconvenience these incidents caused the public and we are committed to ensuring those responsible will be held to account.
The 18-year-old man is due to appear in Huntly District Court on 29 July, facing nine charges of unlawfully taking a vehicle and one count of theft from a vehicle.
The youth has been referred to Youth Aid.
Police’s enquiries into the vehicle thefts in the area are ongoing, and further arrests are likely.
Members of the public are urged to remove any valuables from their vehicles that may attract thieves and ensure their vehicle is locked, and parked in off-street parking or in a well-lit area.
Investing in a steering lock, wheel clamp or other theft prevention devices like CCTV around your home, or a dashcam in your car can also help prevent your vehicle from being targeted.
Police work hard to make the community is safe, however we cannot do this alone.
Information provided by members of our community is invaluable, and Police would like to ask the community to call 111 immediately if they see any suspicious behaviour around vehicles and carparks.
To report a theft after it has occurred, please contact 105. Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Police can now confirm the name of the man who died in a two-vehicle crash on Cambridge Road on 30 June.
He was, 44-year-old Sean Peter Revell, from Otorohanga.
Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Police are now in a position to name the victim of Sunday morning’s homicide in Hamilton.
Twenty-year-old Tyreece Te Pairi, of Hamilton, died from injuries he sustained in an altercation on Alexandra Street early on Sunday.
Detective Inspector Daryl Smith said Police are providing support to Tyreece’s family as they come to terms with this tragedy and prepare to farewell him.
“The investigation team is continuing to assess every line of enquiry available to us. We want to hold the offenders accountable for their actions and hope the public can assist us.
“We still need to hear from anyone who was in the area around Alexandra Street, between 11.30pm on Saturday 19 July, to 12.30am on Sunday.
“If you were in the area in the timeframe and have video, photos or dashcam footage, please upload them to our dedicated portal. It’s possible you have captured something that will assist the investigation.”
The portal can be accessed here: https://alexandra.nc3.govt.nz/
“We are continuing to investigate the circumstances of what happened and are evaluating evidence and information as it comes in. We urge anyone who can help to contact us as soon as possible and use the portal to share any photos or video they have.”
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers by calling 0800 555 111.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
A man is before the courts in relation to a series of thefts and burglaries in Motueka.
On Tuesday 29 July, Police were called to High Street after a burglary was believed to have occurred on Monday.
After following multiple lines of enquiry, Police executed a search warrant at a local address, where a 26-year-old man was located.
The man was taken into custody without incident.
Police also located a number of items believed to have been previously stolen in other incidents.
The 26-year-old is due to appear in Nelson District Court today, charged with five counts of burglary and one count of theft.
Police urge the public to be vigilant and to keep an eye out for each other.
There are quick jobs that can be as simple as storing equipment away from public view, and locking gats and sheds.
A top tip, is to photograph your important assets and possessions like equipment and tools, along with any serial numbers. This is the most effective way to be reunited with your property if it is stolen and recovered.
If you see any unlawful or suspicious activity, please contact Police on 111 immediately. To report after the fact or in non-emergencies please contact us online at 105.police.govt.nz or call 105.
Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 0800 555 111.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
At 2.39pm on 24 July, roughly two hours after he had been reported missing, Roy Arbon’s phone put him in a wide-open clearing.
Just 12 minutes later, there was no sign of him, and his phone hasn’t been active since.
This is the latest development in the search for the 75-year-old Rūnanga man who never returned home from a walk in the hills.
Mr Arbon left on 23 July, leaving a handwritten note:
Gone for walk
Mt Davy to Mt Sewell
Back tonight or tomorrow morning
After finding the note, a concerned neighbour raised the alarm at midday on the 24th and since then, rescuers have been combing every track Mr Arbon could have taken.
2.39pm, then nothing
On 28 July, the rescue team got a lead after polling on Mr Arbon’s phone pinpointed his last position. It showed that at 2.39pm on 24 July, Mr Arbon was in an open area, roughly 1 kilometre north of Sewell Peak’s repeater and 2 kilometres south of Mount Davy, heading south.
That appears to be the last time the phone was active, but it gave searchers a place to focus.
At 2.51pm, 12 minutes after the phone “pinged”, a Police Sergeant was flying over that exact location in a helicopter, taking video of the search area, Senior Sergeant Kirkwood says.
“When we reviewed the footage, we couldn’t find any sign of Mr Arbon in it. We know his phone was absolutely in that area, and we know the polling is right – you get perfect reception up there because you’re right by the repeater.
“In this area, you’re a good distance from the cover of bush, and it would’ve been a struggle for him to walk that far that fast.
“We have spoken to two people who walked the same route in the same direction, and they didn’t see him. It’s really odd.”
A herculean effort
Senior Sergeant Mark Kirkwood says more than 750 search hours have been spent by the ground teams alone.
“The search team is pretty flat, we don’t like not being able to return someone home,” he says. “We’ve had 18 people in an extended line looking for anything that will lead us to him, but there’s been nothing, it’s unusual.”
It’s not a small search area, nor easy to search. Teams made up of Police staff, Land Search and Rescue personnel, and canines have been doing their utmost, but days of “nothing” have followed. No definitive footprints, no discarded items, no scent to track.
It’s been gruelling, painstaking work, in West Coast conditions.
“The community response has been fantastic, locals have been offering us support and someone offered us the use of their helicopter. It’s been outstanding, as usual. People really care about each other.”
Back to the beginning
Senior Sergeant Kirkwood said two Search and Rescue (SAR) experts will carry out a review of the search, on top of one that had been completed by the Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB). Reviews are a normal part of the search process and are carried out by people who weren’t part of the initial search.
Fresh eyes might turn up new leads.
“We’ll be looking at the teleco [telecommunications] data, the information that was called in by the public, where teams searched and what they found.
“We’re looking at anything that will give us a lead.
“We want to bring Mr Arbon home and are doing everything we can to make that happen.
“If we still don’t have any leads in the coming weeks, we’ll be back out there with specialist search dogs – we’re not giving up.”
Police continue to ask the public to report any information regarding Roy or his whereabouts via our 105 service, referencing file number 250725/2139.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
A person has been charged after the death of a man in Westport.
Police were called to a reported altercation at a Palmerston Street motel about 3.10pm yesterday. The victim was found critically injured and was flown to Greymouth Hospital, where he died shortly before midnight.
A 35-year-old man was arrested at the scene, West Coast Area Commander Inspector Jacqui Corner said.
“The alleged offender has been charged with wounds with intent to injure and is expected to appear in the Greymouth District Court today.
“A homicide investigation is now under way, however we are still in the very early stages.”
A scene guard remained in place overnight, and Police will be carrying out a forensic examination of the scene today, Inspector Corner said.
“This is a tragic incident, and we are providing support to the victim’s family.
“Westport is a tight-knit community, and this will be felt widely. While we are not seeking anyone else in relation to the victim’s death, members of the community will see an increased Police presence while we carry out our enquiries.”
Police would like to hear from anyone who has information that could assist enquiries. Please make a report online, or call 105. Please use the reference number 250731/2741.
As the matter is before the court, Police are limited in providing further comment.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Attributable to Senior Sergeant Mark Kirkwood, officer in charge of Search and Rescue, West Coast:
Police are continuing the search in Greymouth today for missing 75-year-old tramper Roy Arbon.
While Roy has not yet been located, Police remain committed to the ongoing search.
Over the weekend, search teams have been on the ground in the Mt Davy area, with continued support from LandSAR volunteers and helicopters.
Staff have been using all tools and techniques available to them.
We would like to thank all our partner agencies who have assisted with search efforts to date.
If anyone has seen Roy, or has information on his whereabouts, please contact Police via our 105 service, referencing file number 250725/2139.
Police are particularly interested in hearing from anyone who may have seen Roy on the morning of 23 July. He was seen heading from Runanga to the Mt Davy area on the red bike (pictured).
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Police can confirm the name of the man who died following a crash on Wairoa Gorge Road on 3 July.
He was Thomas Henry Capil, 64, from Stoke.
Police offer our condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash remain ongoing.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Search efforts in Greymouth for a missing tramper are set to resume today.
75-year-old Roy Arbon was reported overdue from a walk in the Mt Davy on Thursday 24 July.
Police Search and Rescue teams, alongside LandSAR volunteers from Greymouth and surrounding areas will resume searching this morning.
Teams on the ground will continue to receive support from above, with helicopters assisting with search efforts.
We urge anybody with information that could assist to contact Police via 105, either over the phone or online.
Please reference file number 250725/2139.
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Issued by Police Media Centre