Police Snippets

 

Youth questioned
Police have talked to a 16-year-old in relation to two suspicious fires at a gated community off Wintle Street. Flames scorched through large areas of scrub on October 15 and 31, endangering houses and residents that reside in the hilltop location.

Senior Sergeant Graham Gough says the Kaiwaka youth, who was one of the occupants of the tinted lowered utility seen in the area at the time of both blazes, has denied purposefully lighting the fires.

“He claims they may have been lit by cigarette butts he threw out… which I doubt,” Gough says.

The youth has been served a trespass notice for the property and cautioned.

Quake caution
The recent North Canterbury earthquakes caused little disruption to Mangawhai, police say although around 60 people did take preventive action and ‘self-evacuated’, gathering at Mangawhai Club car park until the all clear was given.

Unrelated burgleries
Two burglaries have occurred in the last few weeks although at this stage, do not appear to be related say police. Outdoor cane outdoor furniture and a leaf-blower were taken from an address in Kahu Street, around November 10 after a garage window was broken to gain access.

“On the way out the thieves damaged the garage door lock,” Senior Sargent Graham Gough says. “They must have had either a ute or trailer to carry the furniture away.”

The second incident involves the theft of a gas califont from a dwelling in Parklands Ave on November 12. Gough says thefts involving water-pumps and califonts are a ‘fairly regular’ occurrence.

“They’re often targeted by thieves, by somebody who has the right tools and equipment, possibly taken by someone building a bach.”

Market congestion
Police say they received a number of complaints about the traffic congestion caused by the recent Beach and Country Market held in the parking lot of the new Museum. Molesworth Drive was lined with cars vying for a park, narrowing the road and disrupting the flow of traffic.

“The market was over Labour weekend which would have contributed to the traffic problems,” Gough says. “At normal weekends it might be okay but I don’t know about Christmas. Reviewing consents for the markets is a matter for the council.”

The next Beach and Country Market is scheduled for December 4.

- REPORTING/Julia Wade