Crimeline - fireworks thrown into Ferg's Bar
Ignited firecrackers thrown amongst breakfast patrons, credit card thefts and fraud, and an angry bar patron have kept Police busy this past week.
Fireworks thrown into Ferg's Bar
Ferg's Bar management say early morning staff and patrons were “incredibly shaken up” after a 56-year-old Gore man allegedly ignited a firecracker and threw it into the bar at 8.10am on Saturday, 22 June.
The man has been charged with endangering safety by criminal nuisance and setting off fireworks in a public place. Community and Youth Constable Amanda Shute says he will reappear in the Queenstown District Court on 9 August after an initial appearance this week.
“The male has allegedly removed a firecracker, which was concealed in his jacket, ignited it and thrown it into Ferg's Bar,” Shute says. “It landed near a table of patrons and detonated, setting off at least seven bursts.” There was no further detail as to what prompted the offence at this stage, but fortunately there were no injuries and no damage.
Ferg's Bar is next to Queenstown's iconic Fergburger, in Shotover Street, and owned by the same company.
Ferg Foods Ltd group general manager Claire Burke says it was an “incredibly stupid act” by someone who had no regard for the safety of the staff in the business at the time, or that of the patrons which included children. “Naturally patrons and staff alike were incredibly shaken up after the incident, but thankfully no one was injured,” she says. “We are very thankful to our staff who immediately took action to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved.”
Spate of credit card thefts
Police are also warning people to keep their valuables like wallets, phones, passports and other personal items, on their person and to keep jackets and bags in close proximity when out and about.
“There’s been a noted increase in thefts of credit-debit-plus cards from personal items left unattended in recent weeks, resulting in more fraudulent transactions,” Shute says. Police are encouraging people to keep their possessions on them, or close by, to prevent any more opportunistic offending.
Most of this has occurred in bars and restaurants where people are more likely to leave items unattended. “There’s definitely been an increase in this type of offending reported to us,” she says.
Aussies arrested after late night credit card spree
Two Australian tourists were arrested at 2.05am on Saturday, 22 June, and charged with using a credit card for pecuniary advantage after they found it on the ground in the Queenstown CBD. They then used the card at a local bar making purchases totalling $AUS666, before proceeding to another store where they purchased $17.30 worth of goods. They then attempted to use it again at another store to purchase a further $358 worth of goods.
“The final transaction was prevented by staff at the store who became suspicious and called Police.” The men both appeared in Invercargill District Court on Tuesday, 25 June, and pleaded guilty. They were convicted and sentenced to pay reparation for the costs incurred and each fined $500.
Aggressive behaviour outside bar
Police were alerted to a member of the public who was acting aggressively outside a Rees Street bar at 12.29am on Saturday, 22 June after it was believed he was refused entry. A 29-year-old Gore man had allegedly threatened a security guard. He was arrested and charged with speaking threateningly and is due to appear in the Gore District Court on 3 July.
Drink driving
A 32-year-old Queenstown man was also charged with allegedly driving with an excess breath alcohol level of 492mcgs at 12.49am on Friday, 21 June, after a vehicle was stopped by Police in Fernhill. The man will appear in the Queenstown District Court on 1 July.
