A group of offenders were left with a sour taste in the mouth, after their failed attempt at stealing backpacks stuffed with chocolate.

Four teenagers were arrested after Police found nearly $700 worth of chocolate, when called out to a supermarket at Highland Park on Sunday evening.

Counties Manukau East Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Rakana Cook says supermarket staff reported a group filling bags with products at around 5pm.

“A Police unit arrived within minutes, as the group was allegedly filling backpacks with chocolate and meat,” he says.

NZ Police will be hosting the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police annual conference in Waitangi, on 20-22 August.

The conference features Chiefs of Police (or their delegates) from the PCIP’s 22 member countries.

Media are invited to attend an opportunity for photography and/or filming at the pōwhiri and opening ceremony, on Wednesday 20 August, at the Upper Treaty Grounds from 8.30am.

The conference itself is closed to media. 

NZ Police Commissioner Richard Chambers will be available for interviews on request after the opening ceremony.

Police can now release the name of the person who died following a crash on the corner of Pohlen Road and Waharoa Road East in Matamata on 16 August.

She was 79-year-old Martje Gezina Eastment, of Putaruru.

Investigations to determine the cause of the crash are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre 

Police are appealing for information and witnesses following an aggravated robbery of a man on Thursday 14 August.

Attribute to Detective Sergeant Shelley Ross: 

Police have charged a man with two counts of arson, attempted arson and unlawfully possessing an offensive weapon following a house fire on Main Street yesterday afternoon (17 August).

Police were called to the fire, which affected three residential properties, at around 4pm.

The 26-year-old was taken into custody at the scene by the Police – and received medical treatment at the police station for smoke inhalation.

He is due to appear in Palmerston North District Court today.

One person has died and two people have been critically injured following a crash north of Matamata.

The two-vehicle crash happened at the intersection of Waharoa Road East and Pohlen Road shortly before 5:25pm.

The Serious Crash Unit are in attendance and the road remains closed.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre.

Forty-five years ago, Alicia O’Reilly was tragically raped and murdered in her Avondale family home.

Police continue to investigate the events on Canal Road in the early hours of 16 August 1980.

No one has yet been held accountable for the 6-year-old girl’s death.

In 2020, Police began a re-investigation into the homicide under Operation Sturbridge.

In recent years a trial has been under way for a new genetic investigative tool, which may provide new leads after a DNA sample was obtained.

Please attribute to Superintendent Tony Hill, Canterbury District Commander:

Police can now release the name of the woman who died after she was shot by Police at a Christchurch address on Wednesday night.

She was 53-year-old Te Arohanui Pohio, who resided at the address in Bryndwr.

Our thoughts remain with her loved ones at this extremely difficult time, and we continue to offer them the necessary support.

A post-mortem examination was completed today, and her death will be referred to the Coroner.