Crimeline: Search for Brazilian woman continues
Search for Brazilian woman continues – Police seek man’s help
Police are calling for help from the public to identify a man in his 30s of Asian complexion who may be of assistance in the extensive search for a 47-year-old Brazilian woman who’s been missing in the Skippers Saddle-Mount Dewar area for almost two weeks.
Sergeant Terry Wood says the man, who was of average to taller height, slim build with short dark hair and clean shaven, was seen on the summit track in the Mount Dewar area about 12.30pm on Friday afternoon, 18 September.
He was possibly a tourist, and Police would like to speak with him regarding their ongoing investigation and search for Erika Rodrigues Coelho, a Brazilian national currently residing in Queenstown.
Police were notified of her disappearance on Sunday, 20 September, after she’d not been seen or heard from for two days. Her Toyota RAV4 rental car was found at Skippers Saddle on Monday, 21 September.
Land Search and Rescue volunteers, local and from around the lower South Island, including Te Anau, and Wanaka, have been assisting in the search and it’s understood the cold snap and snow at the weekend curtailed efforts with the search likely to get underway again today (Thursday, 1 Oct) as snow begins to melt.
Coastguard Queenstown, drones and a helicopter have also been assisting.
Police have acknowledged the efforts of the volunteers who, in some cases, have forgone employment opportunities and other signifcant commitments to help, while also being involved in other search and rescue operations during the past few weeks.
The man seen in the Mount Dewar area on 18 September, or anyone else with information that could assist Police, has been asked to please get in touch through 105, either online (select 'Update Report') or by phone.
Please reference number 260921/8173.
Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Lost visitor spends night in bush – Earnslaw Burn
Meanwhile, four people based in Oamaru and visiting the Wakatipu sparked another search overnight on 23 and 24 September on the Earnslaw Burn track after a man in the party became separated, spending a night in the bush. Sergeant Blair Duffy says on their return to the vehicle one member of the party was left on the track. “The other three members of the group attempted to locate their friend, however, upon failing to do so they contacted Police,” Duffy says. A daytime search was initiated which failed to locate the missing tramper. Search teams found the man at about 12.10pm the following day on the track, approximately 2km from the carpark. He was treated for mild hypothermia having spent the night in the bush.
Aussie tourist faces assault charge
A 35-year-old Australian tourist was arrested for allegedly assaulting a doorman at a local bar after being denied entry at 1.30am on Saturday, 26 September. Duffy says the man allegedly repeatedly attempted to gain entry after being initially refused due to intoxication. He then allegedly assaulted the doorman and was arrested for assault. The man was given a formal warning.
Police out in force for school holidays – Plan ahead
Police are urging motorists to plan ahead and ensure their travel times reflect any potential delays heading into the second week of the school holidays, then Labour Weekend soon after.
“From then on we see the holiday period start to ramp up as people begin to turn up in the region with their caravans and boats,” Otago Lakes Road Policing Manager Senior Sergeant Clint Wright says. “Be courteous and don’t take any unnecessary risks.”
In the past week the Road Policing Team have been out in force for the school holidays and will continue to do so, with three blood alcohol level tests pending and a lower alcohol level result for a person on a zero-alcohol licence. Six others face court – two from Queenstown, and seven more were dealt with through infringement notices.
Where are the kids?
Parents are being urged to be “mindful of your children’s whereabouts” by Police after troublesome school holiday antics have been on the rise in some local residential areas. Duffy says there’s been an uptake in “anti-social behaviour” reported in some local neighbourhoods, likely to be attributed to school-aged children. “There have been reports of water balloons being thrown at moving motor vehicles and this type of behaviour could have serious consequences,” he says. Police are urging parents to be aware where their children are at all times.
Blossom Festival trouble free locally
Queenstown largely escaped any trouble with last weekend’s popular Blossom Festival on in Alexandra. Duffy says the event had little effect on Queenstown with only breaches of the local liquor ban which local staff attended without incident.
Burn off smoke blankets basin
A controlled rural burn off, which appeared to be in the Walter Peak area, blanketed the mountains around Lake Wakatipu with large volumes of smoke yesterday, but Fenz assistant district commander Nic McQuillan says, apart from the nuisance value, there was no cause for concern. While there had been a few queries the basin was in an open fire season just now and there were no enforcement requirements, unless anyone had health concerns. If so, they should contact and log that with the Otago Regional Council. He says while all was well in this case, people did the right thing to check.
