Police have arrested a number of people in relation to vehicle crime around the Bay of Islands.
Over the last week there have been several theft ex-cars and stolen motor vehicles in the area and Police started an operation to target the offenders.
The operation began following a car that was stolen at Waitangi on Tuesday night. The car was spotted by Police near Towai and the driver sped off. Police spiked the car north of Hikurangi, but it continued driving. Police eventually stopped the car at Whananaki South.
As a result of this incident one 17-year-old man is facing eight charges of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, one charge attempted unlawful taking and a drug charge.
A second 17-year-old man is facing charges of dangerous driving, failing to stop, unlawfully getting into a vehicle and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.
About 12.30am on Wednesday some offenders were seen trying to get into a vehicle near the Opua Marina. They were disturbed and took off in another stolen vehicle. They headed towards Kawakawa where police attempted to stop them. However, they carried on and drove along Ruapekapeka Road where they crashed. Four occupants ran off into bush and a 15-year-old boy was located near the crashed car. He is being dealt with by Youth Aid.
Police are following positive lines of inquiry to locate the offenders who left the scene at Ruapekapeka Road.
The next night Police arrested a 12-year-old boy in relation to vehicle crime and he was placed back into the care of Child, Youth and Family. They also arrested a 15-year-old boy for unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle and attempted unlawful taking of a motor vehicle.
Another 15-year-old was arrested for receiving a stolen vehicle and attempted unlawful taking.
In connection with the operation, two 17-year old men were arrested for being in an enclosed yard (Opua Primary School).
Senior Sergeant Peter Robinson said Police acted with urgency to catch the offenders involved in the spate of vehicle crime and as a result the number of incidents has dropped off.
However, Mr Robinson said Police still want to hear from anyone who sees suspicious activity in the Bay of Islands area and said people should call 111 immediately if they do see anything.
Mr Robinson would also like to thank the public who alerted police to the suspicious activity around the Opua Marina, which led to the arrest of the youth on Ruapekapeka Road.
He would also like to acknowledge the efforts of police staff who altered their normal shifts and carried out a thorough investigation in order to stop the offending.
“It was a great team effort.”