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Source: Tairawhiti District Health

Please attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Rob Hunkin:

Police investigating the disappearance of missing mother Leonie Emery in 2018 are encouraging people to watch Monday night’s Cold Case episode on TV One.

Leonie who was just 25 years old when she disappeared without a trace seven years ago, leaving behind her four children and devastated whānau.

Leonie was a free spirit who moved around regularly so her family were used to regular periods of no contact. She was reported missing to Police in 2019 but it’s believed she had not been seen or heard from for around a year prior to that.

Investigators have undertaken extensive enquiries to understand Leonie’s last movements and what might have happened to her. Police have examined several possible scenarios but believe it is most likely that Leonie has been the victim of foul play.

Leonie had been spending time in the Waikato but was last seen at a family member’s address in Papakura sometime in late January, early February 2018. Where did she go when she left and who was she with? These are some of the questions we need the public’s help with.

The Cold Case episode will outline key elements of this investigation and we hope it will prompt someone to come forward with information which will help us get the answers Leonie’s whānau desperately want.

We know there are people out there with key information Police need. Please tune in on Monday at 8:30pm to watch the episode.

We urge anyone with information, no matter how small you might think it is to contact Police.

If you can help, call 0800 COLD CASE (0800 2653 2273).

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source:

Wairarapa Police have put the brakes on an anti-social road user event in the Wairarapa overnight, issuing infringements and seizing vehicles.

Operation Kereru saw an increased Police presence in the Wairarapa region, taking a zero-tolerance approach to unlawful road user activity.

In the Wairarapa, Police were able to set up necessary checkpoints to disrupt behaviour before it started.

Over 50 infringements were issued, and on top of these, ten non-operational orders were served. Two vehicles were seized by Bailiffs, and one was impounded.

Wairarapa Area Commander, Inspector Nick Thom says the work of Police staff to get in early to disrupt the planned activity saw a pleasing result.

“As a result of the fantastic work by staff, the vehicles that had gathered were intercepted and had left the area before they were able to get started, all before midnight.”

Two people were recorded over the legal alcohol limit and have been summoned to court, as has a man who was arrested for driving while suspended.

Wairarapa Police continue to work with staff around the Wellington region to disrupt any anti-social behaviour and want to reassure the community that those participating in unlawful activity will be held to account.

Police are reminding members of the public to report any unlawful activity to us, as soon as possible with as much information as safely possible.

This will assist in an effective response, and in cases where we can’t respond immediately, we are able to follow up with drivers and take later enforcement action.

You can report any information to us by calling 111 if it is happening now, or via 105 if it is after the fact, either over the phone or online.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source:

Police can advise that the pedestrian critically injured in Henderson on Sunday has died.

A collision involving a vehicle and pedestrian was reported at 10.20am on Lincoln Road.

The pedestrian was transported to Auckland Hospital in critical condition.

Sadly, Police can now advise that the man succumbed to injuries and died in hospital on Sunday night, 6 April.

Our thoughts are with the man’s family.

An investigation is underway into the circumstances of the crash, and this remains ongoing.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash and has yet to speak with Police can do so by calling 105 using the reference number 250406/2570.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source:

Attributable to Inspector Mike Henwood, Eastern Waikato Area Commander:

A man is before the courts after fleeing from Police in Te Awamutu last night, damaging three Police vehicles in the process.

At about 8:30pm yesterday, Police received reports of a theft at a commercial premises on Sloane Street, Te Awamutu. Upon arrival, a vehicle of interest was seen travelling away from the scene, the vehicle was signalled to stop and failed to do so. The vehicle was not pursued.

A further report of theft at 9pm was received from another commercial premises in Te Awamutu, and the same vehicle of interest was seen by Police driving away from the area from the area at high speeds. Police did not engage with the vehicle due to the inherent risk that the manner of driving placed upon other road users.

At 10:30pm, Police responded to reports of a disorder at McDonalds in Te Awamutu, the attending units sighted the Toyota Landcruiser on State Highway 3, a co-ordinated response to stop the vehicle was carried out, leading to the vehicle successfully being spiked.

The vehicle continued to drive into Te Awamutu township where spikes were deployed a further two times on Bygrave Place, deflating the remainder of the vehicle’s tyres.

The alleged offender has then intentionally driven his vehicle into a stationary Police vehicle that was parked on the side of the road, causing significant damage to the patrol vehicle, the officer inside the vehicle was thankfully uninjured.

The offending vehicle has then driven into a service station forecourt on Sloane Street where he was blocked in by multiple police units. He has then rammed two Police vehicles, causing extensive damage to the vehicles. No Police staff were injured.

The offender’s vehicle has then come to rest on a security bollard, Police removed the man from the vehicle, and he was taken into custody.

The officers responding to this incident demonstrated exceptional courage and commitment to public safety. Despite being rammed on three separate occasions by a dangerous driver attempting to flee, they placed themselves in harm’s way to protect the community and bring the situation under control. Their actions reflect the dedication and bravery our Police show every day to keep others safe. 

A 43-year-old man is due to appear in the Hamilton District Court today facing a number of driving, assault and shoplifting charges.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source:

Police are now in a position to release the name of the man who was killed on West Coast Road, Sheffield on Tuesday.

He was Robert Alexander McKinley, aged 66, of Ikamatua.

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

The crash remains under investigation.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source:

A Kerikeri teenager has fast-tracked himself into court on serious drugs charges after failing to stop for Police.

After 7pm on Sunday, a frontline unit in Kerikeri came across a vehicle travelling at excessive speeds.

Relieving Far North Area Commander, acting Inspector Kylie Newton says the unit signalled for the vehicle to stop.

“The driver disregarded the blue and red lights and carried on at speed and was not pursued further given the manner of driving.”

Police carried out further enquiries and located the vehicle on Keridale Lane.

“Our staff approached the vehicle and smelt a strong odour of cannabis coming from the vehicle,” acting Inspector Newton says.

“A search of the vehicle was invoked which located cannabis and LSD inside.”

The 18-year-old man was arrested on the roadside, and the vehicle has been impounded.

He will appear in the Kaikohe District Court today on possession for supply of cannabis and LSD.

He has also been charged with failing to stop for Police.

“Possession for supply is a serious offence, so it’s a pleasing outcome that these illegal substances are out of circulation in the community,” acting Inspector Newton says.

ENDS. 

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source:

Hawke’s Bay Police are investigating after shots were fired at a house on Cobham Place in Hastings early this morning.

The incident was reported to Police at around 3am today. Witnesses reported seeing possibly two people leaving the area on a quad bike at around the same time.

Our initial enquiries indicate that this incident is not linked to the ongoing tensions between Mongrel Mob and Black Power in Eastern District.

We would like to hear from anyone with information which might assist our investigation. We are particularly interested in any CCTV or dashcam footage from the area at around the time of the shooting.

If you can help, please contact Police via 105, quoting file number 250428/4796.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
 

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Source:

One person has died after a crash on Papakura-Clevedon Road last night, where a vehicle left the road and entered a creek.

Police were called to the scene about 6.45pm.

Sadly, one person died at the scene.

The Serious Crash Unit has examined the scene, and enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source:

Attributable to Detective Sergeant Rochelle Ross:

Police have arrested and charged three men following an aggravated robbery in Aokautere.

At around 7.45am this morning, Manawatu Police were called to a residential address in Aokautere following a report of an aggravated robbery.

Thankfully, the occupants of the property are uninjured, however they are understandably shaken by the incident.

Upon arrival, Police saw the alleged offenders flee the area in a vehicle.

Police signalled the vehicle to stop, however the driver failed to stop and fled from Police.

Tyre-deflation devices were successfully deployed a short time later and the occupants of the vehicle fled on foot.

The three men were subsequently located and were taken into custody without incident.

The three Auckland men, aged 19 to 23, are due to appear in Palmerston North District Court on Monday, charged with aggravated robbery.

We acknowledge the disruption this incident may have had on members of the community and would like to thank the public for their understanding and patience during this incident.

Police would like to reassure the community that this is believed to be an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing risk to the public.

We would also like to praise the public for reporting suspicious activity in the area at the time of the incident, this is a great example of the community assisting Police, leading to these offenders being held to account.

If you witness any suspicious or unlawful activity, please contact Police with as much information as safely possible.

You can contact Police on 111 in an emergency, or for non-emergencies through 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Make a Report” or call 105.

Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre
 

Source:

Attributable to Sergeant Rob Irvine:

Cheviot Police have arrested and charged two people following an illegal hunting incident which saw a firearm discharged within 40 metres of a house.

Police were notified of shots being fired from the road near a home in rural Cheviot in the early hours of 29 March. The incident woke the occupants of the house and was understandably distressing for them.

Enquiries via CCTV identified potential offenders and a search warrant was executed at a local property, where six rifles and 163 rounds of ammunition were seized.

A 19-year-old man has been arrested and charged with three counts of unlawful possession of firearms, unlawful possession of ammunition and discharging a firearm near a dwelling. An 18-year-old man has been charged with three counts of unlawful possession of firearms.

The 19-year old is due to appear on 29 April and the 18-year old is due to appear 16 May. Both will appear at the Christchurch District Court.

The rural community, farmers and landowners are concerned by the amount of poaching during this Roar period and are actively working with Police to report any illegal activity or suspicious behaviour.

We have heard our community who tell us they are frustrated by this type of behaviour, and we will not tolerate it.

Suspicious or illegal activity should be reported to 111 if it’s happening now. If it’s after the fact, make a report online at www.police.govt.nz/use-105 or call 105.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre