Crimeline - drugs, disorderly behaviour, and thefts
Roadside drug bust
Police uncovered drug paraphernalia and utensils used for methamphetamine/amphetamine, including a meth pipe, a knife and a 48gram bag of cannabis during a routine roadside stop on Frankton Road at 1.28am on Thursday, 17 October.
Constable Amanda Shute says a 58-year-old local male passenger in the vehicle was arrested and charged with possession and use of utensils for methamphetamine/amphetamine and possession of an offensive weapon, after Police searched the vehicle. Shute says the man was searched and Police allegedly found a meth pipe in his jacket pocket and a knife inside a pouch attached to his belt. He will reappear in the Queenstown District Court on 18 November.
The 43-year-old local woman, driving the vehicle, was arrested and charged with possession for supply of cannabis plant after Police allegedly noticed the cannabis and conducted the search. She will reappear in the Queenstown District Court on 18 November.
Disorderly behaviour and resisting police
Police were called to Remarkables Park Shopping Centre at 12.50am on Sunday after receiving reports of a disorderly male kicking over rubbish bins. Police later allegedly saw the 38-year-old local man attempting to open the door of a parked vehicle.
“When arrested by Police the male allegedly physically resisted, kicking at the arresting officer and pulling his hands away when the officer was attempting to handcuff him,” Shute says.
Further investigations identified the male had allegedly damaged a store window nearby by throwing outdoor furniture at it. The man was arrested and charged with disorderly behaviour, wilful damage, unlawful interference of a motor vehicle and resisting Police. He was due to appear in the Queenstown District Court on Tuesday.
Police were also called to Shotover Street at 1:20am on Wednesday, 23 October, after a scuffle broke out between two local men. Both were located by Police, one with a cut to his forehead which required medical treatment at Lakes District Hospital. Shute says enquiries are continuing.
Brazen firewood trailer thief
Police are calling for witnesses after a thief allegedly driving a dark-coloured utility vehicle with a quad bike on the back, stole a trailer loaded with firewood from Strains Road, Lake Hayes, at 6pm on Thursday, 17 October. Shute says a member of the public saw the loaded trailer being attached to the back of the utility vehicle.
“If you witnessed this and have not contacted Police yet, please contact Police on 105 quoting file number 241017/7312.”
Repeat driving while disqualified
A 24-year-old Southland man was charged with driving while disqualified third and subsequent after being located by Police allegedly driving in Frankton at 11:04am on Thursday 17 October. He will appear in the Queenstown District Court on 18 November.
Lower Nevis Rescue
The Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter with St John were called to the Lower Nevis to locate a motorcyclist, believed to have suffered leg injuries, after a personal locator beacon was activated just after 10am on Thursday, 17 October. A Hato Hone St John spokesperson says the patient was found at the Blue XC Trail in a moderate to serious condition and airlifted to Dunstan Hospital.
Be safe in the outdoors this Labour Weekend
The NZ Mountain Safety Council is urging trampers to plan their trips thoroughly and be prepared for all weather to prevent avoidable safety incidents when heading into the outdoors this Labour Weekend.
Council Chief Executive Mike Daisley says the weather is notoriously changeable at this time of year, and there have been recent instances where people were ill-equipped and made last-minute decisions to do trips that they hadn’t prepared for.
“It’s essential to have a clear plan, tell someone where you’re going and pack for all conditions, for both day walks and overnight tramps.”
