On the Beat
King Country police have identified and spoken with the two young males responsible for recent arson incidents at two public toilets in Ōtorohanga.
Chris Aspin
The matter has been referred to our Youth Aid team for appropriate follow-up.
Police have been searching for a 31-year-old male who breached a protection order last week. The initial incident is believed to have involved drug use, and the man was also in breach of his release conditions. He has since been located, arrested, and has been remanded in custody. He will appear in court later this month.
Following an investigation into the use of a stolen bank card, police executed a search warrant at an Ōtorohanga address. Items linked to the offending were recovered, and a 33-year-old male has been arrested and charged with using a document for pecuniary advantage.
Police attended a family harm incident between Ōtorohanga and Te Kuiti, and issued a Police Safety Order to a 32-year-old male. Unfortunately, he ignored the order, later causing significant damage to a property and vehicles and making threats at another address. He was located in Hamilton that night and arrested. He now faces six charges, including intentional damage, threats to kill, and assault within a family relationship.
A 43-year-old male was arrested in Te Kuiti following an assault. The man had no prior history with police, and the incident appears to have been alcohol related. This serves as a reminder to drink responsibly and make good decisions.
Locals may have noticed an increased police presence on the roads last week as staff assisted with a road policing operation focusing on speed, distractions, impairment, and restraints. With the holiday season approaching, we urge everyone to drive safely and ensure they reach their destinations without incident. Plan your travel, take care on the roads, being aware of the ever-changing weather and road conditions, Police have recently responded to some tress blocking lanes and a separate slip that came down near Waterfall Hill on State Highway 4, which temporarily blocked both lanes.
Lastly, we’ve seen an increase in dishonesty-related offences across the wider district. Please remain vigilant, report suspicious activity, and continue to notify Police of any crimes.
Stay safe and look out for one another.
