Crimeline
Chocolate craving nets supermarket shoplifters
Police say they’ll be continuing to clamp down on shoplifters after the arrest of two alleged, wanted Queenstown male shoplifters, aged 19 and 20, on Tuesday, who were allegedly on a pitstop to curb a chocolate craving at a Frankton supermarket
Police say a vigilant Police officer stopping in at the supermarket noticed two men matching the description of offenders from a previous shoplifting incident several days prior. “Upon enquiries, the officer located further evidence indicating the pair were also (allegedly) shoplifting at the time, and they were subsequently arrested,” a Police spokesperson says.
They will appear in Queenstown District Court on 23 March, charged with shoplifting.
Otago Lakes Central Area Commander, Inspector Paula Enoka, says this is “a great catch” and a further step towards Police’s crackdown on retail crime.
“I would like to commend the officer - their keen eye and attention to detail is what has led to this arrest.
“This type of offending puts a big strain on our local businesses and will not be tolerated by Police or the community.”
She says Police are committed to targeting retail crime and holding offenders to account, which these arrests are testament to.
Alleged shoplifter throws pie at staff
Sergeant Tracy Haggart says a 41-year-old Queenstown man was also arrested for shoplifting and trespass at a Camp Street store, allegedly throwing a pie at a staff member and threating to hit him, at 12.35pm on Monday, 2 March.
Sergeant Tracy Haggart says the man had been previously trespassed and was allegedly in the store. “He was recognised by staff for an earlier shoplifting incident and trespass.” When approached he allegedly threw a pie at the staff member and continued to threaten to hit him, she says. When spoken to by Police he was allegedly found to have further items
he had just stolen on him. The man was remanded in custody to appear in the Queenstown District Court on 23 March, facing a charge of assault, two charges of shoplifting and two of wilful trespass.
Haggart says Police are continuing to apprehend shoplifters locally, “thanks to the quality CCTV footage and information provided by retailers and their staff”. “We remain focused on holding all these offenders to account.”
Anyone witnessing any retail crime, or any other crime, please call 111.If it is happening now, or for historic offending, please make a report, with as much information as possible, either online or by calling 105.Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Wrong way home
A 37-year-old Queenstown woman, who allegedly drove her vehicle the wrong way down Arrowtown’s main street at 12.20am on Sunday, 1 March, and allegedly struck out at Police, has been charged with resisting and assaulting Police, and refusing a blood sample.
Haggart says Police received reports from members of the public that a vehicle was being driven the wrong way down Buckingham Street. She was located a short time later by Police, allegedly striking out at them when required to accompany them and while being transported to the station. The woman then allegedly refused to undergo any breath alcohol procedures and refused an officer’s request for a blood sample, Haggart says. She will appear in the Queenstown District Court on 20 March.
Vehicle allegedly swerving into median strip
A 26-year-old Queenstown man will appear in court on 20 March after a vehicle was seen by Police allegedly swerving into the median strip on Frankton Road just after 5am on Sunday, 1 March, soon after being reported for dangerous driving through Queenstown, Haggart says. The man then allegedly failed to complete a breath test and refused a medical professional’s request for blood. He’s been summoned to court for refusing a medical officer’s request for blood.
Car flips on Boyd Road bend
Police inquiries are continuing in the bid to speak with the driver of a Nissan station-wagon that flipped onto its roof after the driver allegedly failed to negotiate a bend near Boyd Road, on the Kingston Road, at 3am on Sunday, 1 March. The male driver allegedly crossed the centreline and lost control, Haggart says. He had allegedly approached a tight lefthand bend, near Boyd Road intersection, heading towards Queenstown. The vehicle then allegedly crossed the centreline, losing control and flipped before coming to rest upside down in a ditch, she says.
A man was allegedly seen exiting the vehicle and walking off from the scene, Haggart says.
Lost control – Crash on Kingston Road
Further along Kingston Road at Wye Creek just before 7pm the same day a 19-year-old Kerikeri man crashed heading towards Kingston in a Mazda. Haggart says he allegedly lost control of the vehicle approaching a tight corner at speed in wet conditions. The Mazda collided with a Suzuki vehicle travelling towards Queenstown, but no one was injured.
Drink driving:
75-year-old Queenstown man, 444mcg, Malaghans Road 7.58pm, 27 February.
Serious crash closes Lindis Pass
The Lindis Pass was closed from Broken Hutt Road and Old Faithful Road after a single-car crash on Saturday morning, 28 February, which left one person seriously injured. The person was seen by St John Ambulance, and the road was closed for a significant part of the day, Police say. The Serious Crash Unit was notified.
Kingston scrub fire
The Kingston Fire Brigade attempted to reach a scrub fire opposite the Kingston Road camp area during last Wednesday night, 25 February, but were forced back to due hazardous conditions, Otago Lakes group assistant commander Nic McQuillan says. The 1ha fire area, only accessible via a single track, was on public conservation land and rain helped keep it at bay until DOC fire crews and a helicopter took over mopping up what was left of the fire, McQuillan says. It was not known how the fire started. “It just highlights that even though it looks green our bush will still burn. That’s still a sizeable fire."
