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.

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.