Crimeline: Multiple youth vehicle offenders nabbed
Multiple youth vehicle offenders nabbed
Police say they have arrested “multiple youths” in relation to a serious recent spate of vehicle break ins and thefts around Frankton, Lake Hayes-Shotover Country and Kelvin Heights. Constable Amanda Shute says they have all been referred to be dealt with by the Police Youth Aid process.
Last week Shute put out a call for help from the public as Police chased the offenders responsible for the most recent spate of 11 vehicle break-ins across the four Queenstown suburbs.
Police said at the time they believed the 11 incidents were linked and that the offenders had been targeting vehicles that had “little-or-no-security”. The vehicles appeared to have been stolen for joyrides, and a number had been recovered by last week. Shute says the thieves targeted a mix of vehicles.
She says Police urge people to remove their keys from their vehicles, lock their vehicles and report any suspicious behaviour to Police.
This has been yet another in a number of similar spates in recent years, targeting the same areas. Earlier this year tradies’ vehicles at Lake Hayes and Kelvin Heights were broken into with windows smashed and in one case thousands of dollars’ worth of irreplaceable tools stolen. In June 2024 a similar spate of nine vehicle break-ins and attempted vehicle thefts occurred in the Cedar Drive-Poplar Drive area of Kelvin Heights causing thousands of dollars’ worth of damage.
Shute is still urging people to remove items from their vehicles and if they can’t afford an alarm to consider inexpensive options like a steering wheel lock to deter thieves.
People are urged to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour to Police online at 105.police.govt.nz by clicking ‘update report’, or by calling 105. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Beware of scammers
Southern Police have sent out fresh warnings to people that “scammers don’t take days off and they’re getting smarter”.
Scammers are always at work, and people are being urged to report anything that seems even slightly suspicious to Police.
“If it doesn't feel right, stop, verify, and don't send money or details,” a Police spokesperson says. Anyone who’s been scammed or spotted a scam should report it asap. “Every report helps us build the picture and warn others.”
Common signs of a scam:
- Contact out of the blue asking for money or personal details
- Pressure to act fast or "keep it secret"
- Payment requested via gift cards, crypto, or bank transfer only
- Too-good-to-be-true deals on social media marketplace or dating apps
Visit netsafe.org.nz for free resources or report an online issue at report.netsafe.org.nz.
You can also report to Police on 105 or online at 105.police.govt.nz
Calm before the storm – Be avalanche aware
With new snow expected from tomorrow, 21 August, through the weekend, the NZ Mountain Safety Council is reminding those itching to get amongst it to wait 24-48 hours after a storm before entering the backcountry to give the snowpack time to settle. Council chief executive Mike Daisley says even then only head out if you have “the necessary training, skills and equipment”.
“Once you leave the ski area boundary, you’re in a backcountry environment, and avalanche danger increases substantially,” Daisley says. “While inside the ski area, the patrol team actively manages avalanche danger, but as soon as you step outside the boundary, this becomes the responsibility of you and your group.”
He’s urging anyone heading out to check the avalanche forecast and public observations (https://www.avalanche.net.nz/), carry avalanche rescue equipment and know how to use it.
“This includes an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe.”
He says the council recommends backcountry lovers take an avalanche course from one of the endorsed providers on its website (https://www.avalanche.net.nz/education/completing-a-course) to gain these skills.
Daisley says the avalanche forecast is an important planning tool, but it's “only one part of the decision-making process”. “When in the mountains, you need to make informed decisions based on the current conditions on the day and how these change throughout your trip,” he says.
Drink driving checkpoints
A 38-year-old Australian driver was convicted, fined $600 and disqualified from driving for six months after blowing 584mcg when stopped at a Police checkpoint on Kingston Road at 11pm on Friday, 14 August, Constable Amanda Shute says. The driver appeared in the Invercargill District Court on Tuesday, 18 August.
A 39-year-old Queenstown woman was issued with an infringement notice after being stopped at the same checkpoint at 10.20pm the same evening, allegedly returning a result of 326mcg.
A 38-year-old Queenstown man allegedly blew 400mcg when stopped at an Arthur’s Point checkpoint at 7.45pm on the same night. An infringement notice was issued.
A 27-year-old Queenstown man also allegedly blew 330mcg at the Arthur’s Point checkpoint at 7.36pm that night, and a 37-year-old American man allegedly blew 400mcg at 7.08pm. Infringement notices were issued to them as well, Shute says.
Heli-Rescues
Two people were flown from Cardrona to Dunedin Hospital by the Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter on Monday, 17 August, and Tuesday, 18 August, after separate accidents, one in a moderate condition, the other unknown, a St John Ambulance spokesperson says.
