Crimeline: Scammers at work in Queenstown

Scammers alert

Queenstown Police want help in their hunt for brazen young scammers who’ve been targeting their victims through Facebook Marketplace locally. Community and Youth Constable Amanda Shute says the scammers offer mountain bikes for sale. Victims are sent to vacant homes, particularly holiday homes in Kelvin Heights, and told to leave the cash on the backdoor step, or in a specific place, take a photo of it, and they’ll be sent a key ‘code’ which will get them into the house. “They never receive the code.” The money is reportedly then stolen by youths who jump the fence to grab it, she says. On one occasion the potential victim managed to get the money back before the suspect got to it. “There have been some other close calls, according to neighbours, with others almost falling victim,” Shute says. Police believe other victims may have already been hit and want to hear from them to help catch the perpetrators. A post on the Southern District Police Facebook page raised no response. “Victims will know. They’ll have parted with money. Maybe you’ve turned up at your holiday home and somebody has come knocking at your door asking for something they’ve purchased.” All information provided to Police so far has been second-hand, or from those witnessing the offending in Kelvin Heights. If you have fallen victim to the scam, or have any information that may assist in the investigation, please contact Police on 105 and reference file number: 240226/0806.

Drink driving

The Police Impairment Prevention Team apprehended three repeat drink driving offenders last weekend, 2 and 3 March, already on their third and subsequent drink driving offences. “It’s so disappointing that these drivers haven’t learnt their lesson yet,” Shute says. Police also received a driving complaint around midday last Tuesday, 5 March, about a vehicle crossing the centre line while driving over the Crown Range. That driver was stopped and blew 863mcg/l and has been charged with drink driving and dangerous driving. Shute warns that police are “always out there” targeting unlawful behaviour on local roads. “They’ll be spot testing and setting up checkpoints so drivers can expect to get caught.”

Cannabis haul

Police seized close to half a kilogram of cannabis, along with cannabis oil and a mature cannabis plant, when they executed a search warrant at a Lake Hayes address on Wednesday, 6 March. Significant evidence of ongoing cannabis supply to the local area was also located throughout the address, Shute says. A 43-year-old female was arrested and charged with supplying cannabis, cultivating cannabis, possession for supply of cannabis, and possession of cannabis utensils. Further charges are also expected relating to the manufacture and distribution of cannabis oil products.

Assaults

Police were called to two serious assaults last weekend with the victims requiring medical attention for their injuries. A male has been arrested and charged with the first assault. The second assault occurred at Havana Bar around 3.30am on Saturday, 2 March. “Enquiries are ongoing to identify the suspect and we encourage anyone who witnessed this assault, or has any information that may assist Police, to contact us on 105, quoting file number 240302/2242.”