Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Police

A speeding driver who failed to stop for Police in the Far North yesterday afternoon ended up in custody with their car impounded.

Police observed a black Holden Commodore being driven at excessive spend on State Highway 1 near Horeke at around 3.30pm.

The driver allegedly ignored a request to pullover from a Police patrol and took off at speed, overtaking numerous vehicles on the highway and subsequent auxiliary roads.

“A concerned member flagged down a patrol vehicle to tell us the car was speeding and almost crashed into a ditch,” says Sergeant Josh Clauson of Kerikeri Police. 

“The caller also alleged the occupants had thrown drug utensils out of the car.”

Further enquiries resulted in the vehicle, which was fitted with false plates, being stopped in Horeke around 5.45pm. 

Methamphetamine and cannabis were found inside and the car was impounded.

Two people were arrested and have been charged with driving and drug related offences.

“We’re very pleased with the swift resolution of this incident,” says Sergeant Clauson.

“The lives of innocent people are at risk from speeding drivers and Police are focussed on reducing the risk of harm by getting dangerous drivers off the road.”

ENDS

Nicole Bremner/NZ Police 

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Vaaelua:

Police have arrested a 19-year-old man last night, in relation to the death of a man in Ōtara on Friday evening.

The man has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm in relation to a second victim from the altercation.

That victim has since been discharged from hospital.

A post-mortem examination of the deceased victim was completed earlier today, and Police are continuing enquiries to reconstruct the circumstances of his death.

Once those enquiries are complete, further charges are likely.

The 19-year-old is due to appear in the Manukau District Court on Monday.

Police would like to thank the members of the community who have assisted with this investigation to date.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can advise one person has died following an historic crash in Pakuranga Heights that occurred on 28 December 2024.

Emergency services responded to reports of a serious crash between a vehicle and motorbike at the intersection of Pakuranga Road and Stanniland Street at about 8.50am.

Initially, the motorbike rider was transported to hospital in a critical condition and has subsequently died from his injuries.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Counties Manukau District Commander, Superintendent Shanan Gray:

One person has died following a crash in Pukekohe this afternoon.

Police were looking for a stolen motorbike in the Pukekohe area when a unit observed the bike travelling along Helvetia Road at about 12.20pm.

The Police unit has performed a U-turn in an attempt to signal for the vehicle to stop, however before they have activated their lights and sirens the motorbike has accelerated off at speed.

The officer has then lost sight of the vehicle.

A short time later, another Police unit patrolling the area has located the bike crashed on McShane Street.

Sadly, the rider was pronounced deceased at the scene.

A scene examination is underway by the Serious Crash Unit and the road remains closed.

There is now an investigation underway, which will work to establish all the facts surrounding this tragic incident.

This includes notifying the Independent Police Conduct Authority, as is standard procedure.

We are also working to support those affected and their families as well as our staff who were involved.

As part of our investigation, we are seeking information from witnesses who may have been in the area at the time, or prior to this incident occurring.

If you have information, please update Police online now or call 105.

Please use reference job number P063348335.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Simon Taylor of Counties Manukau Police:

A homicide investigation has been launched after the death of a man in Ōtara overnight.

Police were called to Wymondley Road shortly before midnight after reports of a group of people fighting in the street.

Upon arrival, two men were located with critical injuries.

They were transported to hospital, however sadly, one man died a short time later.

The second man remains in hospital in a serious condition.

Police are now working to establish the full circumstances of what has occurred, and to locate those involved.

A scene examination will continue today and cordons will be in place. 

Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has any information is urged to come forward.

If you can help, please call 105 and quote reference number 250802/7178.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Two offenders were left out of luck – and gas – after a burglary in Botany overnight.

Counties Manukau East Police responded to a burglary at a landscaping business on Botany Road just before 11.30pm.

“It was reported two offenders had allegedly gained access to the yard and were believed to be trying to steal diesel,” Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Rakana Cook says.

“A number of Police staff responded to the area, with support from a Police dog handler.”

Police were quickly on the scent.

A 44-year-old man was quickly arrested near the business.

“The dog handler continued to track for the second offender, and he was found trying to hide under a digger.”

Both men, aged 37 and 44, have jointly been charged with burglary and will appear in the Manukau District Court today.

“It’s a great result,” Inspector Cook says. “From a report being made as the offending was taking place through to night shift staff getting on scene quickly and interrupting the offenders.”

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Police in Counties Manukau West have located a plethora of stolen items after executing a search warrant in Māngere East last week.

Officers were looking for a stolen bike at an address in Buckland Road when they instead located a pile of tools that didn’t belong there.

Sergeant Ben Guptill, of Counties Manukau West Tactical Crime Unit, says while executing the search warrant, officers found the alleged offender had arrived at the address shortly before Police and unloaded the tools from a car.

“Among the property was also an electric motorcycle, which upon inspection of the serial number, had been stolen in a burglary in Papatoetoe a week prior.

“The bike was returned to the rightful owner and needless to say, they were ecstatic at having the bike returned.”

Sergeant Guptill says the man was taken into custody and officers set about making enquiries into the owners of the other stolen goods.

“We were able to identify three victims and return their property to them.

“One was a nail gun that had been stolen from a vehicle in 2021 – he was absolutely stoked to have it back after four years.

“This is a great example of the importance of people marking/engraving their tools, as this is the only way we were able to track them down and return their property.”

Sergeant Guptill says burglary is a serious offence and brings with it a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment.

“We have zero tolerance for this type of offending, and will continue to hold those responsible to account.”

He says there are a number of preventative measures people can take to avoid theft from occurring:

•  Ensure your vehicle is locked and don’t leave valuables in plain sight
•  If you need to park on the street, park in a well-lit area and near CCTV cameras if you have them
•  If possible, have an alarm system in your vehicle/house and tinted windows to deter opportunistic offenders
•  Engrave your tools with your driver licence number – that way, if we find your tools, there’s a better chance of us getting them back to you
•  Keep a record of the serial numbers
•  If you work on a construction site, be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to Police
•  If you can’t take your tools home with you, lock them up in a shed on site
•  Second-hand dealers and the public should be wary of tools being offered to them at a price that’s too good to be true

Anyone who sees suspicious activity around vehicles can call Police on 111 if they are witnessing the activity, or 105 after the matter.

A 49-year-old man has been remanded in custody and will appear in Manukau District Court on 1 August charged with burglary, unlawfully taking a motor vehicle and breach of a court release condition.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can confirm one person has died following a serious three-vehicle crash near Auckland Airport.

The crash occurred at around 4am on George Bolt Memorial Drive, near the intersection with Tom Pearce Drive.

A second occupant of the same vehicle has sustained serious injuries and has been transported to hospital.

A lane has been opened up for southbound traffic on George Bolt Memorial Drive to use.

Police on scene advise traffic is flowing in the area, but please continue to allow additional time to reach your destination this morning.

It is anticipated the road will reopen later this morning.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Hayward, Counties Manukau CIB:

An earlier Police operation has been completed on a walkway near Highbrook.

At around 11.30am, Police were advised of a sudden death near a walkway running adjacent to the Southern Motorway (SH1).

On attendance Police staff have located a man’s body off the walkway.

While carrying out their work at the scene, Police located a suspicious item near the man’s body.

This item resembled the appearance of an improvised explosive device (IED) or similar.

The area was immediately cordoned off, including the closure of SH1 between Princes Street and Highbrook Drive.

The Police Specialist Search Group and the NZDF EOD Team were deployed to the scene.

Specialists have carried out a thorough examination of the immediate area and have located two objects.

Both objects have been safely removed from the scene.

Initial enquiries indicate that these items are not IEDs, and further specialist enquiries will need to be carried out into these two objects.

The Southern Motorway (SH1) has since reopened to motorists.

Police will remain at the location around the walkway where the man’s body was located.

A detailed scene examination will be carried out this evening and this is expected to carry on into Wednesday.

Police can reassure the public that the situation is contained and there are no immediate concerns for the anyone’s safety.

Police will carry out enquiries into the man’s death on behalf of the Coroner.

This includes a post-mortem examination and formal identification, which will be completed in due course.

We sincerely thank motorists for their cooperation today and recognise the disruption that has been caused.

Public safety is paramount, and these decisions on cordons are always made with this front of mind.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are referring an Auckland man’s death to the Coroner, after he was located deceased in Highbrook on Tuesday.

Counties Manukau CIB have been investigating the sudden death since it was first reported at around 11.30am on 22 July.

“I can confirm that a post-mortem examination was completed yesterday afternoon,” Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Hayward says.

“Police will not be releasing detailed findings of the post-mortem, but it has indicated the man died of a self-inflicted injury.

“Police are not treating the man’s death, or the discovery of two devices near his body, as a criminal matter.”

A scene examination around the walkway was also completed yesterday.

Police are currently unable to release further details surrounding the man, as formal identification procedures are yet to be completed.

Next of kin have been contacted and Police are currently supporting them through the next steps in the process.

“This incident has occurred in a very public place, and I understand there will naturally be curiosity surrounding what has taken place,” Detective Senior Sergeant Hayward says.

“It’s important to remember that a person has died and there is family grieving, so we ask people to be mindful of speculation.

“Our focus now is to complete enquiries on behalf of a coroner who will in time issue fulsome findings surrounding the circumstances leading up to the man’s death.”

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police