Three cases of daylight robbery

Police have had three cases in the past week where unlocked houses were entered and small cash-andcarry items such as purses and cellphones were taken.

Thefts occurred in daylight hours on Tower Rd, Rawhiti Ave and Karaka St. Police are reminding people to lock the front access to their property if they are spending time out the back.

Police have reported no incidents since the start of the duckshooting season. Sergeant Graham McGurk would like to commend everyone involved.

Thursday, May 9

Police were called to a car accident on the Kaimai Range about 9pm. On arrival, they found a vehicle on the side of the road at the base of the range but no evidence of an accident. Officers checked further up the road and found nothing. But they did notice a man hitch-hiking. Police spoke to the man and felt his explanation of why he was there did not add up. They took the man back to the car and noticed there was blood on the vehicle. The man said he knew nothing about the car or the blood. Police found out who the car was registered to and contacted the owner. The owner of the car answered the phone and told police he was in a ditch on the side of the road and had no memory of how he got there or where his car was. He then said an ambulance and Tauranga police had arrived. He handed the phone over to a Tauranga police officer who explained that they had been called to the scene of a road-rage incident on the Tauranga side of the Kaimai Range. It appears that the owner of the car found by Matamata police had been pulled from his car and assaulted by two men in another car. The second occupant had then stolen his car and driven to the other side of the Kaimai Range before breaking down. He had then attempted to hitch-hike back over the range before he was picked up by Matamata police. Both the hitch-hiker and driver of the other car were arrested by the Tauranga Criminal Investigation Bureau for the unlawful taking of a motor vehicle and assault. Sergeant Graham McGurk said it was an excellent effort by Matamata police, who followed their instincts.

A driver was suspended from driving for having excess demerit points. Police would like to remind drivers that once they reach 100 demerit points, their names will appear on a list and police will serve them with a notice immediately suspending their licence for three months. Sergeant Graham McGurk said a common question asked about demerit points was ‘‘what happens if you have more than 100?’’ The answer is, any points over 100 will remain after the three months is up. For example, if you have 180 demerit points, your licence will be suspended for three months and you will still have 80 demerit points.

Sunday, May 12

A rally car driver lost control of his car and crashed into a fence on Peria Rd. The driver was travelling between stages at the time and was not racing. Police said he was not injured but was very embarrassed.

Police were called to Kotuku Cres where three young males were reportedly throwing oranges at a house.

Called to a car fire on SH29.

Sunday, May 12

Called to a property full of smoke on Sheffield St. One occupant was treated for minor smoke inhalation.