NZ Engine

Source: New Zealand Police

Following their noses at a bail check led to Invercargill Police sniffing out three arrests, drugs and drug paraphernalia, and thousands of dollars in cash.

Officers were conducting a routine bail check at an Invercargill address shortly after midnight, and when an occupant of the address opened the door, officers were met with a strong smell of cannabis.

A warrantless search was then initiated under the Search and Surveillance Act 2012.

As a result of the search Police located drug utensils, a knuckleduster, small quantities of cannabis and methamphetamine, and around $12,000 in cash.

Inspector Mike Bowman, Southland Area Commander, says this was excellent work by his staff and proves the value of routine police work like bail checks.

“This started as a routine visit to a property for a bail check, but resulted in the arrest of two gang members and a gang prospect.

“To recover the drugs and other items as well is a real bonus, and a reminder to those who commit offences that Police will hold you to account.”

The three men – aged 28, 29 and 45 years old – have been arrested on driving, weapons, and drug charges. Further enquiries are continuing.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre.

Source: New Zealand Police

Attributable to Hawke’s Bay Area Commander Detective Inspector Martin James:

A woman is before the courts following an incident resulting in a hospital and nearby schools to be put into lockdown in Hastings.

Police were called to Hawke’s Bay Hospital at 1.20pm on Wednesday 23 July, after a report of a person possibly in possession of a firearm.

The hospital and nearby schools were put into lockdown as a precaution while Police made enquiries.

Incidents like this are taken seriously by Police, and no firearm was located in this matter.

Regardless, incidents like this cause major disruption to the health system and cause anxiety to many members of the public.

A 21-year-old woman is due to reappear in Hastings District Court on 4 August, charged with threats of harm to people or property.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Hawke’s Bay Police are reminding hunters to stop and think before trespassing onto private land or else face the consequences.

“Everyone has the right to feel safe on their property, and if someone walked through your backyard with a firearm you would be angry too,” says Sergeant Ray Wylie.

“When you hunt illegally you are putting your party and other legal hunters at risk.

“Lawful hunting parties are often not expecting to come across other hunters when they are operating on private property.”

The chance of a hunting-related injury, or even death, increases significantly for all involved, Sergeant Wylie said.

Police were using tools like thermal binoculars and even drones to track down illegal hunters.

“These tools give us the evidence we need to carry out actions such as search warrants, or charge people for a range of illegal activities.”

Illegal hunters can face prosecution in court, have their licences revoked, their equipment seized and firearms potentially destroyed.

“At least sixteen illegal hunters have been caught in the Hawke’s Bay region over the last six months, and we will continue to crack down on this dangerous behaviour.”

Sergeant Wylie said illegal hunting was often under-reported and could have wide-ranging impacts. “Not only is it dangerous, but it is also detrimental to businesses and individuals in the community who lose money.

“To help us build a picture of where we need to be, we urge the public to report any suspicious activity to us, including suspicious vehicles or people in your local area.”

If it is happening now, call 111 immediately with as much information as you can safely gather. If you are reporting after the fact, make a report via 105.

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

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Nearly seven years after 45-year-old father Eddie Peters was killed in Flaxmere, Police have charged a man with his murder.

Detective Inspector Dave de Lange said Police arrested a 29-year-old Hastings man this morning, and the accused is expected to appear in the Hastings District Court this afternoon [22 July]. The man is also charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

A 30-year-old Hastings woman has also been arrested and charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. This relates to the investigation into Mr Peters’ death.

“In the early hours of Friday 16 November 2018, Eddie was viciously beaten and left for dead on the driveway of a home on Diaz Drive in Flaxmere. He was hospitalised, but despite the best efforts and care of medical staff, he sadly died at Wellington Hospital on 24 November,” Detective Inspector de Lange said.

“Since that time, Police have continued a challenging investigation to hold whoever was responsible accountable for Eddies’s death. The investigation team has worked relentlessly to get today’s result, following leads, picking apart information and never giving up on Eddie or his family.”

Detective Inspector de Lange said Police were able to piece together the tragic events of that night thanks to the assistance from members of the Hastings community.

“What happened to Eddie was terrible, and the investigation team has remained focused on establishing exactly what happened, for Eddie’s whanau and friends.

“The arrest brings some satisfaction, but I believe there are still more people out in the community who know what happened and can further assist the investigation. I urge them to contact us and discuss what they know.”

Anyone with information can contact their nearest Police station, or make a report online via 105. Please use the reference number 181116/4372.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can confirm one person has died following a serious crash in Taradale this afternoon.

At around 1.20pm, Police were called to Neeve Road where a car collided with a fence.

Sadly, despite best efforts of emergency services, one person died at the scene.

The road remains closed while the Serious Crash Unit conducts a scene examination.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

One person has died following an ATV crash on Foxton Beach this afternoon.

Emergency services were called to the beach at around 1.10pm.

The deceased was one of two people on the ATV at the time of the crash, which occurred on the beach near the surf lifesaving club. The second person was uninjured.

Further information regarding the deceased will not be released at this stage, to allow all necessary family notifications to take place.
 

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can confirm the name of the man who died following a house fire on Oranga Street, on 23 July.

He was Nigel Philip Tyler, 69, from Westown.

Police offer our condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.

There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding this incident.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

A 36-year-old man faces a range of charges after Police seized cash, cannabis, methamphetamine and a stolen firearm in Pahiatua yesterday.

About 1.50pm yesterday, Police observed and then stopped a suspicious vehicle on Pahiatua Pongaroa Road, north of the Pahiatua township.

During a search of the vehicle, officers uncovered a stolen firearm in the rear footwell, 77 rounds of ammunition, and a small amount of cannabis and methamphetamine.

An additional 1.1 kilograms of cannabis was recovered in a related search warrant today.

“Seizures like this make our community safer,” says Acting Sergeant Chris Butterfield. “Anytime we can take weapons and drugs off our streets it removes potential harm from our community.

“We want to thank the public for their assistance on this one, people saw a suspicious-looking vehicle and called us. As a result, we’ve got drugs and a firearm out of circulation.”

The man is due to appear in Palmerston North District Court today on charges of burglary, unlawfully possessing a firearm, unlawfully possessing ammunition and possession of a cannabis plant.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre.

Source: New Zealand Police

Police investigating a crash in Inglewood on Saturday 26 July are wanting to speak to anyone who witnessed the crash.

At around 6:10pm, Police were called to State Highway 3 at the intersection with King Road after a vehicle crashed into a bank.

The driver of the vehicle sustained moderate injuries.

We’d like to speak to anyone who witnessed the crash. This includes any dashcam or CCTV footage.

Police can be contacted via 105 either over the phone or online.

Please reference event number P063290271.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

One person has died after a fire at a residential property in Westown late last night.

Police were called to the address about 11pm.

Sadly one person was located deceased.

Police will conduct a scene examination along with Fire and Emergency New Zealand this morning.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre