Crimeline: Backpacker brandishes knife
Dutch backpacker headlocks hostel guest, demands money, brandishes knife
A 23-year-old Dutchman allegedly grabbed another guest at a local backpackers’ hostel on Saturday night squeezing his neck, slapping him then thrusting him into a headlock, demanding $2000 with threats of a beating before soon after brandishing a 15cm kitchen knife.
Constable Amanda Shute says the man also allegedly approached another onlooking guest, grabbing them by the shoulder and threatening to hit them if they said anything.
“The man then left the area and returned to his bedroom, returning shortly after when he walked out the front door of the backpackers’ holding a 15cm kitchen knife in full view of the public,” she says.
He’d allegedly threatened to beat the initial guest he’d grabbed if he didn’t produce the $2000.
When Police arrived just before 9.30pm they located the man and found cannabis in his belongings at the hostel.
The young Dutchman was arrested and charged with demanding to steal, possessing an offensive weapon, procuring/possessing cannabis and speaking threateningly.
He appeared in the Queenstown District Court on Monday and was remanded on bail to reappear on 25 August.
Drugs found on man threatening at local accommodation
A 40-year-old local man, later found to be in possession of “a considerable amount of drugs”, was arrested for threatening behaviour at 1.40pm on Monday, 30 June, after becoming aggressive when he was trespassed by a local accommodation provider.
After the man’s arrest Police found he was in possession of magic mushrooms (psilocybin) and cannabis. The man was charged with possession of cannabis plant for supply and procuring/possessing stimulants and depressants. He’s due to appear in the Queenstown District Court on Monday (7 July).
Police allegedly assaulted
A 36-year-old Alexandra man, who was allegedly found in Gibbston on Thursday with a vehicle stolen from Alexandra, now faces five charges, including assaulting Police.
Shute says Police found the vehicle, stolen overnight on 25/26 June from Alexandra, and arrested the man, taking him back to the Queenstown Police Station where he allegedly refused to provide his name and date of birth to Police.
While being processed he allegedly refused to supply his DNA and became aggressive towards officers, allegedly assaulting two officers. He then refused again….this time to sign his bail bond.
The man faced two charges of assaulting Police, unlawfully taking a motor vehicle and two charges of failing/refusing ID particulars to Police in the Queenstown District Court on 28 June. He was remanded in custody.
Speeder refuses tests
A 37-year-old Southland man, allegedly driving at “erratic speeds” and clocked at 117km/hr near Wye Creek on the Queenstown to Kingston Road at 1.30pm on 26 June, was charged with refusing Police requests for blood, third or subsequent time.
Shute says Police signalled to the driver to pull over and upon speaking to him he admitted to having “a couple of drinks”. The man then refused to undergo a breath test and refused the officer’s request for blood. He is to appear in the Queenstown Court on 25 August.
Black ice accidents on Malaghans Road
Police are reiterating calls for drivers to take extreme care in known black ice and shady spots after two separate single vehicle collisions on Malaghans Road, near the intersection with Hunter Road on Monday morning (30 June).
Both vehicles lost traction on the black ice and slid off the road – one at 7am and one at 7.30am, but thankfully nobody was injured.
Road Policing Sergeant Bruce Martin says both drivers crossed the centre line and came to rest off the road. Speed was not believed to have been a factor.
He’s urging people to drive to winter conditions, with colder, frosty mornings and heavy fog in some areas. “Slow down and use your headlights in foggy conditions. Don’t rely on your automatic light function – turn them on manually,” Martin says.
He’s warning Police are keeping their focus on speed and drink driving.
“Drivers intending to drink, need to plan their return trip home prior, so they don’t put themselves in a difficult and embarrassing situation, put others at risk, or end up facing a possible court appearance.”
Patients airlifted from ski areas
The Otago Rescue Helicopter was kept busy yesterday after two ski area accidents. A patient in a moderate condition was transported to Dunedin Hospital after an accident at Cardrona Ski Area just before 5pm. A patient in a minor condition was also airlifted to Southland Hospital after an accident at Coronet Peak just before 1pm.
