Police Snippets

 

Hungry thief
A holiday home was broken into in early December by what appears to be a hungry intruder who helped themselves to food from the fridge and a food processor.

Senior Constable Graham Gough says the burglar gained entrance by locating the house key.

“The perp seems to be an opportunist,” he says. “They either saw where the key was hidden or perhaps has stayed at the house before.”

Gough says a large number of property owners in Mangawhai have a key stashed outside somewhere for convenience which leaves the house susceptible to thieves.

“My advice is to get a lock-box with a combination from a hardware store to stow keys away safely.”

Local police executed a summons to a 39-year-old male on December 13, charging him with methamphetamine use with a glass pipe and possession. The man will appear in court on December 19.

Crims not on holiday
Gough says the area has been fairly quiet with dishonesty crimes although he expects this to change soon when the official holiday season begins. Police want to urge people to be extra vigilant with their valuables and property.

“Don’t do things like leaving petrol tanks in boats parked on the lawn or chilly bins filled with beer outside your tent at night,” he says. “You might be on holiday but thieves aren’t!”

Extra officers on beat
Two extra officers will be on patrol in Mangawhai to assist local police throughout the holiday from Boxing Day to January 14. An additional team of officers will also be on duty to help out with the Northern Bass music festival and concerts at the Mangawhai Tavern over the New Year.

Reporting crime
Mangawhai police station will not hold regular hours through the holiday season but will be staffed intermittently. People can still phone the office on 423 1060 to report a crime and if unanswered, calls will transfer to Wellsford or Henderson stations. Alternatively people can also call Crime-Stoppers on (09) 477 5000 or if call is urgent ring 111.

- REPORTING/Julia Wade