Police are making enquiries into an incident in Levin today where a person appears to have sustained a gunshot wound.

Detective Sergeant Brad Grainger says there’s been an increase in the manufacture and supply of synthetic cannabis across the district over the past month.

Emergency services were called to an assault on Trigg Ave around 12:20pm on Wednesday. A man was located in a critical condition but died at the scene.

Police are working to locate Ethan Hatata, who has a warrant for his arrest and is wanted by Police.

Hatata, 22, is wanted for retail offending and is believed to be in the wider Auckland region.

If you have seen Hatata or have any information that may assist in locating him, please update us online now or call 105.

Please use the reference number 250716/0533.

Alternatively information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Extra Police are on patrol in Levin after several firearm-related incidents in two days.

Manawatu Area Commander Inspector Ross Grantham described recent shooting events in the area as “brainless violence” that put people at risk of harm.

Police are investigating several reports of shootings in the area, including a man who presented at a healthcare centre with a gunshot wound to his thigh on Monday morning. He was transferred to Palmerston North Hospital in a serious condition and enquiries are ongoing.

A couple have been gifted charges on multiple offences after initially trying to get away with shoplifting in Pukekohe.

On Monday at 10.15am, Police were called to the Pukekohe Train Station after a man and woman were stopped by security as they attempted to take a trolley full of groceries onto a departing train.

Counties Manukau South Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Matt Hoyes, says when Police arrived the male tried to hide the trolley in a toilet cubicle.

Attribute to Inspector Angela Hallett:

Police have arrested a man after multiple 111 calls reporting motor vehicle offences in the Hastings area this morning.

At around 8.30am the man has allegedly stolen a vehicle from outside a business address on Taradale Road.

Police then received multiple 111 calls reporting dangerous driving and numerous collisions with other vehicles, which officers were able to use to keep track of the driver’s locations.

Police are renewing their appeal for information on the whereabouts of Michael Tautari who has a Warrant to Arrest.

The 27-year-old is wanted by Police for breaching release conditions and we believe someone may have information on his whereabouts.

Tautari is known to frequent the wider Auckland and Waikato regions and is currently avoiding Police.

Anyone with information is urged not to approach him and instead to call 111 immediately and quote file number 250625/2113.

Alternatively information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

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.