Crimeline: Frankton liquor store ram raid – Youths arrested
Frankton liquor store ram raid – Youths arrested
Three youths will face charges in the Youth Court in relation to a ram raid at Big Barrel liquor store in Remarkables Park around 2.30am yesterday (Wednesday, 22 July), the second in Remarkables Park in eight months.
Store manager Jatinder Singh says he was called in by his boss when the security alarm went off just after 2am. The alleged offenders targeted whisky, beer and up to $500 cash from the till. It appeared a vehicle had been used to ram entry into the store causing what he would estimate to be quite a few thousand dollars’ worth of damage. “They used two cars – one to break in through the door and the other as a getaway,” Singh says. “They took quite a lot of whisky.”
“We had good CCTV footage. They had their faces covered and looked to be older teenagers,” Singh believed. Thankfully the Police got most of what was stolen back, repairs were done and the store was able to open for business yesterday.
Detective Senior Sergeant Steven Salton, of Queenstown Police, says the alleged offenders targeted cash and alcohol before leaving the area in two vehicles. “It’s believed a vehicle has been used to gain entry to the premises.
“Some time later, Police located one vehicle which was towed for a forensic examination,” Salton says.
After initial enquiries, Police identified and located three youths.
“An investigation into the matter is ongoing as Police work to identify and locate the remaining offenders,” he says.
The three youths who’ve been arrested are due to appear in the Youth Court at a later date, Salton says.
A similar ram raid style burglary occurred just across Hawthorne Drive very close by at Super Liquor in November last year.
Fatal accident near Clyde
A person died after a serious two-vehicle crash at Springvale, near Clyde, around 9am yesterday (22 July), a Police spokesperson says.
The road was closed while the Serious Crash Unit conducted a scene examination and motorists were advised to follow diversions and expect delays.
Aussie allegedly brandishes pocket knife after collision
A 25-year-old Australian man has been charged with behaving threateningly and operating a vehicle carelessly after allegedly brandishing a drawn pocketknife at another driver after a vehicle collision on Shotover Street just before midnight on Sunday, 19 July.
Constable Amanda Shute says a vehicle had allegedly reversed into another vehicle causing minor damage. “Both vehicles have pulled to the side of the road, and the victim has requested the driver’s details for insurance purposes.” However, the alleged offender has allegedly refused to provide these, offering a sum of money instead, Shute says. The victim called Police, which she says was overheard by the alleged offender who then allegedly brandished a drawn pocketknife with the intention to frighten the victim. The alleged offender then left the scene in their vehicle, she says. The Australian man will appear in the Queenstown District Court on 24 July.
Store staff abused – Onlookers intervene
Two members of the public intervened on Friday, 10 July, restraining a man, until Police arrived, who’d allegedly become abusive to staff in a Queenstown store, Shute says. The alleged offender had to be taken to Lakes District Hospital due to the level of their intoxication, she says. A local man in his 20s has been charged and is due to reappear in the Queenstown District Court on 10 August.
Public restrain man – Woman allegedly punched repeatedly
A local man in his 40s had to be restrained by members of the public after allegedly assaulting a woman by punching her in the face, grabbing her, pulling her to the ground then throwing more punches at 2.45am on Sunday, 19 July, Shute says. “It’s believed that prior to this the offender was allegedly assaulted by a group of people the victim was with,” she says. Police enquiries are continuing and a local man in his 40s has been charged with male assaults female. He will appear in court on 24 August.
Six times the legal limit – Hawthorne Drive
A 50-year-old Southland man allegedly blew 1511mcg on Hawthorne Drive just after 8am on Sunday, 19 July, following a driving complaint to Police. Shute says a vehicle was located on the footpath, the engine was on and the driver was allegedly observed trying to reverse the car.
The man was charged with driving contrary to the terms of his zero-alcohol licence – third and subsequent. He appears in Queenstown District Court on 24 August.
Other drink driving:
49-year-old Auckland man, 683mcg, Frankton-Ladies Mile highway, 1.27am, Friday, 17 July. 28-day mandatory suspension of driver’s licence. Court 24 July.
29-year-old Queenstown man, 658mcg, Frankton Road, 1.10am, Friday, 17 July. 28-day mandatory suspension of driver’s licence. Court 28 July.
Cardrona accident
The Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter flew a person with moderate injuries to Lakes District Hospital after a motor vehicle accident at Cardrona shortly before 3pm last Friday, 17 July, a St John Ambulance person says.
