Waikato Police are warning offenders times have changed and the public are making it quite clear they will not tolerate anti-social behaviour as was evident in the arrest of four offenders following an incident in Ragaln overnight.
Shift Manager, Senior Sergeant Juliet Burgess, of the Waikato District Command Centre said the incident began shortly after 6pm when members of the public advised Police of a car being broken into.
“Officers arrived and were told one of the occupants of a Mazda Demio car had been seen breaking into a parked car but had fled when he realised he had been seen.
“Because the callers were able to provide us an accurate description, and crucially the vehicle’s registration number we were able to determine this car had been stolen in Hamilton on Wednesday. A short time later, one of our patrols encountered the Mazda heading east on Riria Kereopa Memorial Dr but the driver refused to stop and instead fled off at speed.”
Mrs Burgess said the offenders were pursued towards central Raglan and out on to SH23, eastwards towards Hamilton.
“Due to the nature of the offender’s driving Police lost sight of the car on a number of occasions but other members of the public pointed out the Mazda’s direction of travel and its turning off the highway, heading towards Waingaro.
“The pursuit continued on through Waingaro and then towards Ngaruawahia. On the western outskirts of the town road spikes were deployed and in his efforts to avoid these, the offender lost control of his car and it crashed into a lamp post. All four occupants were arrested at the scene and one was treated for minor injuries.”
As a result of the apprehensions three males aged 14,15 and 30-years-of-age are being dealt with by Police, as is a 20-year-old woman who was also a passenger in the car.
“In addition to the issue of the stolen Mazda and the breaking into of the car in Raglan, the 30-year-old male driver will also face a variety of driving charges.
“Yesterday highlights the value of relaying accurate information to Police which allows us to respond in a timely manner and ultimately hold offenders to account. Modern technology such as cell-phones and radios really empowers members of the public and allows them to contribute to keeping our communities safe.”
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