Attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Colin Baillie:

Police are supporting the family of the 81-year-old Canterbury woman, Valerie, who was located yesterday after being missing for four days.

Valerie remains in hospital receiving medical care and is surrounded by her loved ones. Our thoughts are with Valerie and her family as she recovers.

The family are requesting privacy at this time and ask that no further calls or door knocks are made. Any further comment from the family will be provided through Police when appropriate.

Police have this evening located the 81-year-old Canterbury woman who was reported missing last week.

Detective Senior Sergeant Colin Baillie says following days of extensive searching by Police teams, assisted by members of the public, she was located in Ferrymead this evening.

“She was extremely cold, but is talking to Police and will be sent for a medical examination.

“Her family have been notified of this great result.”

Police wish to thank everybody who assisted with search efforts in recent days.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre 

This year marks seven years since Melissa Jones’ unexplained death, and Police remain committed to establishing the circumstances surrounding what happened to her.

Police are continuing to appeal for sightings of Benjamin Barrett who has been reported missing from Russell.

The 58-year-old was last seen in Matauwhi Bay on 26 May at around 11.30pm.

Benjamin lives aboard his boat ‘Reremoana’ and is believed to have left the boat in his dinghy.

The dinghy is described as white with a rounded smooth front and fiberglass exterior. It is approximately 9 ft long with a wooden frame, seats and centre board.

Attributable to Waikato District Commander Superintendent Scott Gemmell:

One person is in a critical condition after a crash following a fleeing driver incident in Hamilton today.

Just after 11:50am, Police signalled for a vehicle to stop on Te Aroha St, which it failed to do so.

Police did not pursue the vehicle due to the manner of driving, however maintained sight of the vehicle via traffic cameras as it travelled east.

The vehicle has continued to travel at speed without Police presence. It was then spiked by Police.

One person has died following an earlier two-vehicle crash in Spotswood this morning.

Emergency services were called to Parnassus Road (SH1) near McPhersons Stream Bridge at around 8.33am.

Sadly, despite best efforts, one person died in hospital.

The Serious Crash Unit and Commercial Vehicle Safety Team have attended and conducted scene examinations.

The road remains closed while the vehicles are being removed from the scene.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

A man who had his two most prized possessions pinched from his Westgate home while in the process of moving house is praising Police after their safe return.

Police received a report relating to a catastrophic burglary at a Rush Creek Drive property on Saturday, involving the theft of two purebred British short hair cats.

Waitematā West Area Prevention Manager, Acting Inspector Nick Salter, says the owner returned to the property to collect the last remaining items, including his beloved furry felines, only to discover them missing.

Attributable to Detective Inspector James Keene:

Police have arrested a 35-year-old man following an assault at Guthrie Park in Havelock North on Friday 5 June.

The man was located and taken into custody without incident in Picton earlier today.

He is due to appear in the Blenheim District Court tomorrow facing three serious charges relating to the incident. Police have opposed his bail.

We wish to thank the public for the information that was provided to Police in relation to this incident, and for their ongoing support.