On the Beat
King Country Police have once again responded to a range of incidents across the district over the past week.
Constable Chris Aspin
Police, animal control, and a local farmer assisted in the rescue of a horse that had wandered onto a property in Hangatiki and fallen into a stormwater drain. With the help of a tractor, the horse was safely lifted out and appeared in much better spirits after being trapped for much of the night.
Staff assisted an elderly man with dementia who became disoriented after driving from Levin to Ōtorohanga. Fortunately, police were able to identify him, contact his family, and ensure he was reunited with them safely. We are grateful that he did not suffer any injuries, nor cause harm to others while travelling.
In Te Kūiti, police located and impounded a vehicle that had been sought in relation to a previous fail-to-stop incident.
Police also responded to a daytime burglary on Mangarino Street in Te Kuiti, where an unoccupied home was targeted. Thanks to prompt reporting, staff were able to identify and arrest a 54-year-old man approximately an hour after the call was made. He has since been remanded in custody.
Police responded to a vehicle crash on State Highway 3, north of Ōtorohanga, after a motorist failed to maintain control and left the roadway, coming to rest in a paddock. The driver attempted to drive the vehicle back onto the road but was unsuccessful. Upon arrival, officers discovered the man was under the influence of alcohol. He initially tried to avoid facing the consequences by locking himself inside the vehicle. After some negotiation, the 31-year-old eventually unlocked the door and complied with the evidential breath testing process. He returned a breath alcohol reading well over the legal limit. As a result, his driver licence was suspended, and he has been summoned to appear in court.
We are currently investigating a series of daytime burglaries across the district. The offender has been targeting well-maintained homes and, in some cases, entering properties while elderly occupants are inside.
We strongly encourage anyone who has experienced suspicious activity or believes they may have been a victim to contact police and report the incident. Staff are committed to identifying and holding the offender accountable.
As always, thank you for your continued support. Please report any suspicious behaviour to Police.
