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Attributable to Hutt Valley Area Commander, Inspector Wade Jennings:

Hutt Valley and Kapiti-Mana Police have pulled the handbrake on a gathering of anti-social road users.

Twenty-one vehicles have been ordered off the road and nearly 80 infringement notices issued, following a large and volatile gathering last night.

Police intercepted about 100 vehicles at Kmart Petone, forcing every vehicle to pass through a checkpoint. The anti-social road users then met in Porirua, where they were met by more Police staff, and then faced another checkpoint after relocating to Seaview.

On Eastern Hutt Road in Taita, Police confronted about 80 bystanders who were blocking the road and throwing bottles. Police formed lines with shields and helmets and forced the crowd to return to their vehicles, which were then directed through another checkpoint.

We know the public, and certainly Police, won’t tolerate this dangerous behaviour, and participants can expect to be stopped and to face enforcement action.

One of the vehicles involved in the gathering lost control on State Highway 2, breaking through a metal barrier and crashing onto the railway lines. Incredibly, the two occupants were not seriously hurt.

For Police, this was a successful night that prevented significant damage to our local roads and disruption to the community, thanks to the work of frontline Police and a number of people working in the background to support them.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

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Attributable to Detective Inspector Nick Pritchard:

Police continue to make steady progress in the investigation into the homicide of 63-year-old Abdul Nabizadah, who was found critically injured in Camperdown Rd, Miramar at 2.20am on Monday 17 March.

Mr Nabizadah later died in Wellington Hospital from injuries Police believe were received while being assaulted and robbed at this location at around 12.30am.

The investigation team are continuing to gather evidence of the events of the evening and are establishing a good understanding of what occurred.

The investigation has established a link between the homicide and an aggravated burglary that occurred at a nearby Darlington Road address at about 2am, when a man was found by homeowners inside their house. Police have arrested a man alleged to be responsible for this burglary and he is due to appear in the Wellington District Court on 17 April.

During the examination of the Camperdown Road scene Police located a woman’s large size Mirrou brand zip-up jacket with white stripes on the arms. It was found discarded on the walkway leading from Camperdown Road to Nevay Road. Police want to speak to the owner of this jacket to determine if it is connected in any way to the incidents of that night.

The investigation team have previously sought information about a silver Mazda 6 vehicle seen on several occasions in the Miramar area on the night of the incidents.

Following assistance from members of the public the investigation team have now identified this vehicle and believe it is connected to the two incidents. Police now urgently want to speak to the driver and occupants of this car on the night of the incidents and we encourage them to make contact with us.

We are actively looking for a number of people who we know have relevant information and encourage them, along with anyone else that has relevant information, to contact us as soon as possible.

If you have any information that could help the investigation team, please update us online now or call 105.

Please use the reference number 250317/6324, or reference Operation Celtic.

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

ENDS

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Attributable to Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Todd, Hutt Valley Area Investigations Manager:

Hutt Valley Police are continuing to appeal for the public’s help to locate missing 28-year-old Thomas Basire, who has not been seen since November 2024.

Thomas was last seen walking towards Petone on the stop bank near the Ewen Bridge on Railway Ave, on 24 November 2024.

Since his disappearance, Police have conducted a number of searches around the Hutt River and riverbank area in an attempt to locate him, which have all been unsuccessful to date.

Footage taken from a search in February was analysed, with no further items or locations of interest identified.

Police have received a wealth of information from the public regarding the potential whereabouts of Thomas, however based on follow-up enquiries, we do not believe there have been any confirmed sightings of him since November.

Over the course of our investigation, Police staff have spoken with a number of people who knew Tom, and urge anyone who associated with him who has not yet spoken to Police, to come forward and speak with us.

Despite the period of time he has been missing, the investigation team are keeping an open mind with this investigation.

While there is no further search activity planned at this time, Police will often review these cases as information is received by members of the public.

If you have any information that could assist Police, no matter how small, please contact us via 105, either over the phone or online.

You can quote reference number 241213/6143.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Quick reporting by a member of the public who allegedly snapped a pair of thieves attempting to steal his vehicle by using a screwdriver has aided in their arrest.

At about 9.45pm, two people allegedly attempting to steal a vehicle parked on Brashier Circle in Sunnyvale were interrupted by the owner.

Waitematā West Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Kelly Farrant, says the pair had managed to get the car started using a screwdriver before the owner disturbed them and they took off in another vehicle.

“The victim has then quickly contacted Police and we quickly located the alleged offenders on Millbrook Road where the Police Eagle helicopter was able to track the vehicle.”

She says officers then spiked the vehicle on Farwood Road and it continued at low speed onto Candia Road, eventually stopping.

“Two people were quickly taken into custody without incident.

“Quickly reporting matters by calling 111 about incidents such as people interfering with vehicles is really helpful for us.

“It allows us to respond and potentially disrupt wider offending against the community.”

A 30-year-old man will appear in Auckland District Court today charged with possession of an offensive weapon and possession of cannabis.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

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Police have rounded up three offenders after two burglaries at Browns Bay businesses this morning.

A burglary was reported at a currency exchange business on Clyde Road at around 3.18am.

Acting Waitematā East Area Commander Tim Williams says three offenders had been seen smashing their way into the store.

“A Police dog handler deployed and other Police units flooded the area after the report,” acting Inspector Williams says.

“The dog handler tracked to a toy store nearby, which had also sustained damage.

“Around the same time a vehicle was seen leaving the area, and a unit attempted to stop it.”

The vehicle failed to stop.

“The Police Eagle helicopter deployed and tracked the vehicle as it entered the Waterview Tunnel, heading south, at high speeds.”

The vehicle continued south towards Manukau, with spikes successfully deployed on multiple occasions.

Acting Inspector Williams says the vehicle eventually came to a stop on Othello Drive.

“All three occupants ran on foot from the vehicle and were quickly arrested.”

Three men, aged 27, 28 and 31, will face charges over their early morning offending and will appear at the North Shore District Court.

“Police are continuing to respond to burglaries occurring and are holding those responsible to account.”

It’s the second round of arrests for burglaries at North Shore businesses in just over 24 hours.

Acting Inspector Williams says two 15-year-old males were apprehended early on Sunday, after burglary at an Albany vape store on Dairy Flat Highway.

“I’d like to acknowledge our frontline staff that quickly deployed after both these incidents were reported to us, enabling these arrests.”

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

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A pair of alleged thieves responsible for a string of burglaries in the beachside suburb of Piha are now facing court.

Between late January and 10 April, Police has received 14 reports relating to burglary, theft and suspicious activity in the Piha area.

Waitematā West Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Kelly Farrant, says Police have spent the past few months investigating the reports and making a number of enquiries, including the use of CCTV.

“We were subsequently able to identify two people of interest in relation to four of the reports.

“Yesterday, with the assistance of the Police Dog Unit, Delta, we executed a search warrant at a West Coast Road property and took two people into custody.”

Inspector Farrant says a number of stolen items were recovered and enquiries remain ongoing.

“Our community deserves to go about their business without the threat of being a victim of crime and we will continue to respond and hold these offenders to account.

“We will continue to actively target burglary offenders every single day, and we continue to ask members of the public to report any instances of suspicious behaviour in a timely manner.”

A 34-year-old man will appear in Waitākere District Court today charged with two counts of burglary, unlawful possession of ammunition and failure to carry out obligations in relation to a computer search.

A 32-year-old woman charged with burglary, unlawfully in an enclosed area, possession of methamphetamine utensils and failure to carry out obligations in relation to a computer search will appear in Waitākere District Court on 16 April.

Police are not ruling out further charges.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

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Police can advise a man has died after he was located unresponsive in water off Red Beach.

At 7.27am, an outrigger was reported overturned in water.

Police, including the Eagle helicopter, deployed to the area and located a man unresponsive in the water.

Members of the public in the area moved the man to rocks, where he was airlifted by the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter to Stanmore Bay.

Sadly, we can confirm that the man was deceased.

Police are in the process of recovering the outrigger and enquiries will be carried out on behalf of the Coroner.

Our thoughts are with the community after this morning’s incident.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

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Two Police operations across the Auckland region have result in several prolific offenders being arrested.

Eight arrests were made after two stolen vehicles were detected by Police in the west Auckland area.

Amongst those arrests are two prolific offenders sought in connection with two violent aggravated robberies at Auckland jewellery stores last month.

• Rata Street, New Lynn:

Acting Detective Inspector Simon Harrison says a stolen vehicle was detected travelling in the Henderson area at around 3.15pm.

“Eagle deployed to the area, and maintained observations of this vehicle which was seen driving dangerously through Te Atatū Road towards New Lynn.”

The vehicle was abandoned on Rata Street, with the group attempting to stop and steal another person’s vehicle.

Acting Detective Inspector Harrison says the group continued to flee on foot.

“Cordons were put in place around the area while enquiries were made to locate these offenders.

“While we were still in the area, information was received that a group believed to be connected to these offenders had fled the area in another vehicle.

“A member of the public had been assaulted in the process.”

Eagle located this vehicle and tracked it to an address on Riserra Drive in Rānui.

“All four occupants of this vehicle were quickly rounded up and apprehended by ground staff,” acting Detective Inspector Harrison says.

This included the driver, aged 18, and three passengers: two aged 15 and one 19.

The 19-year-old man has been charged with assault with intent to rob over the Nikau Road incident in New Lynn.

He will appear in the Waitākere District Court today.

At this point the original group were still at large.

“Police acknowledge the cooperation from commuters who were disrupted during our operation yesterday afternoon.

“We also received valuable information from the community which assisted our enquiries.”

• Woodford Avenue, Henderson:

Police continued to make enquiries to locate the group involved in the original incident.

This group were also believed to be connected to an investigation over recent aggravated robberies at jewellery stores.

An address of interest on Woodford Avenue was identified.

Acting Detective Inspector Harrison says Eagle detected a stolen vehicle leaving this property at about 9.30pm.

“The vehicle was signalled to stop by a unit on Lincoln Road but fled from Police towards the North-Western Motorway.

“Eagle continued to track this vehicle speeding along the motorway and connecting onto the South-Western Motorway.”

The vehicle travelled to Māngere, with occupants switching to another vehicle.

“All the while Eagle continued to monitor this group travel south towards the Southern Motorway interchange,” acting Detective Inspector Harrison says.

“This vehicle was travelling at speed but began to experience mechanical issues near Penrose and slowed significantly.”

Authority was given to bring this vehicle to a stop.

Minor damage was sustained to one patrol vehicle, but all four occupants were quickly arrested.

Amongst the arrests was the 18-year-old driver.

He was subject of a media appeal with a warrant to arrest over the aggravated robbery at Mānawa Bay on 23 March.

He now faces additional charges relating to failing to stop.

A 15-year-old passenger was also sought as part of that investigation.

“He has been charged with aggravated robberies at the Kayson’s Fashion Store on 16 March and the Mānawa Bay Michael Hill on 23 March,” acting Detective Inspector Harrison says.

The other two occupants were aged 16 and 19, and face charges of failing to stop and unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle.

Police will be opposing these offenders’ bail when they appear in the Auckland District and Auckland Youth courts today.

Acting Detective Inspector Harrison says: “This is a great outcome for the community to have these offenders off the streets.

“It represents a significant amount of work carried out over recent week by detectives and frontline staff to identify and target these prolific offenders.”

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

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Police have canned the plans of a group of offenders who allegedly broke into a Helensville brewery.

On Sunday at about 1.30am a group of six people have allegedly smashed their way into the complex on Mill Road and took a number of items, including electronic goods.

The group had also unsuccessfully attempted to break into a Kumeū liquor shop, causing significant damage in their wake.

Waitematā North Area Community Manager, Senior Sergeant Brett Henshaw, says a number of Police enquiries led them to a property in Avondale.

“On Monday, officers executed a search warrant at a Blockhouse Bay property where a number of the stolen items were located.

“A large number of people were present at the address and subsequently three people were taken into custody.”

Senior Sergeant Henshaw says the victims were incredibly thankful after Police returned most of the stolen goods.

“Our staff worked quickly to bring this matter to a resolution.

“We recognise the impact this type of offending has on our local businesses and we are committed to holding offenders accountable.

“Police have no tolerance for this brazen behaviour in our community and we encourage anyone who sees anything suspicious to report it to us immediately.”

Three people, aged 13, 15 and 16, have been referred to Youth Aid Services.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

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A wanted man with more than 20 warrants for his arrest has been taken into custody following a fleeing driver incident across Auckland this morning.

Just before 8am, Auckland Airport Police spotted a vehicle of interest and approached it to speak with the occupants.

Acting Waitematā East Area Prevention Manager, Acting Inspector Tim Williams, says the vehicle then fled at high speed.

“Officers have elected not to pursue the vehicle and a short time later Eagle has observed it travelling at speed on State Highway 20.

“The driver has continued on through Auckland and into the North Shore, where it exited and briefly went into a nearly underground carpark where it’s believed passengers were dropped off.”

Acting Inspector Williams says the vehicle continued driving dangerously, overtaking traffic, running red lights and driving on the footpath.

“At about 8.50am the vehicle was successfully spiked on Wairau Road, Totara Vale however, it has continued on driving in a dangerous manner and collided with another member of the public’s vehicle.

“It’s incredibly lucky no one was injured and the damage was minor.

“The tyres have then disintegrated and armed units, including Delta, have taken the man into custody.

“ Other road users should not expect to have their safety put at risk like it was this morning during peak hour traffic, it’s completely unacceptable.

“Great teamwork and a coordinated approach led to this man being apprehended and held to account for his behaviour.”

A 38-year-old man will appear in North Shore District Court tomorrow facing a number of charges including aggravated failing to stop, dangerous driving, assault with a blunt instrument and possession of methamphetamine.

Police will be opposing the man’s bail.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police