Arrests in Nelson

At 2.30pm today Nelson Police arrested 2 Christchurch youths at Taser and gun point following a crime spree by the pair across the upper South Island over the last 24 hours.

Senior Sergeant Stu Koefoed of Nelson Police stated that the pair had come to the attention of Police yesterday with a reported stolen car from Christchurch. This car was later dumped in Kaikoura and the occupants fled the scene.

"The occupants were tracked by police dogs for a considerable distance across farm land but managed to evade apprehension until the morning where several vehicles were stolen from Seddon and then Blenheim which have been linked to the pair."

"Another vehicle was later stolen from Blenheim and dumped in Havelock where a further vehicle was then reported as stolen. Shortly thereafter a burglary was reported in Havelock. Property stolen from this address included firearms and a late model Jaguar car. Shortly after this the stolen Jaguar was seen on the Whangamoa Hill near Nelson. The driver of the vehicle refused to stop for police and was then successfully road spiked at the bottom of the Nelson side of the Whangamoa Hill. The 2 youths in the vehicle were arrested at Taser and gunpoint without resistance."

"Police recovered a quantity of stolen property from the car including a loaded air rifle which was on the backseat of the car. Further firearms are still being sought by police whilst a 15 and 17yr old are in custody and are being spoken to by police relating to these offences. The pair will be appearing in the Nelson Youth Court tomorrow on a raft of charges."

Senior Sergeant Koefoed stated that he was pleased with the prompt and decisive manner that the arrest was affected without incident, bearing in mind that the pair had firearms in their possession and they were clearly intending to evade police.