Police assaulted in Dargaville

At approximately 2.20 am on Sunday the 8th February 2009, a 17 year-old male Maori was disturbed breaking into a Dairy on Victoria Street, Dargaville.
Residence in the area viewed the youth smash the large front window pane of the Dairy with a wooden bat, when the window pane shattered the youth ran off. He returned to the Dairy a short time later and attempted to climb through the broken window into the Dairy.
On being challenged the youth ran into a near by property, only to flee when confronted by the occupier of this address. He then went around the corner onto Jervios Street and was seen by a passing motorist attempting to break into a vehicle that was parked on the road.
Police apprehended the youth a short time later, he was found hiding in the female toilets at a local park. On being called upon by Police to come out of the toilets he has charged at the Constable striking him on the forearm with a glass bottle.
The wooden bat that he used to smash the Dairy window was located in the toilet that he had occupied.
He is being held in Police custody to appear in the Dargaville District Court on Monday the 9th February 2009. He is facing charges ranging from Aggravated Assault, Assault Police, Possess Utensil for Cannabis, Resist Police, Burglary and Unlawful Interferes with Motor Vehicle.
Police safety was further compromised during the apprehension of this 17 year old youth by the behaviours of a group of people in the vicinity. Police Senior Sergeant Sue Leach is extremely disappointed in the behaviour that this group of people displayed towards police while they were dealing with an extremely violent person. The situation was further aggravated as a direct result of their confrontational behaviour directed at police.

 

Senior Sergeant Sue LEACH
DARGAVILLE

Issued By: Inspector Jacqueline Whittaker