Police voice concern at number of burglaries

February 2

Police attended a crash on Station Rd after a vehicle lost control and crashed into a concrete pole. The 17-year-old driver was unlicensed and forbidden to drive. The driver is facing charges of driving while forbidden. A 45-year-old man was arrested for burglary of a local contracting business. He was found with a considerable amount of stolen items which police are trying to reunite with their owners including a Supatool tool box and a black Kent heater.

February 3

A 30-year-old Matamata woman was arrested for shop lifting from a local sports store. Police said the same person had been approached by staff at another local store prior to her committing another offence. Police attended a crash on Firth St where a vehicle hit a tree. The driver was flown to Waikato Hospital with neck and back injuries.

February 5

An 18-year-old man was arrested for breaching his bail conditions after members of the public saw the young person lying on the road and trying to run in front of cars on a rural road. A 15-year-old youth was arrested and held in custody for breaching their bail conditions, threatening behaviour and burglary.

February 7

A local man collapsed on the Wairere Falls track. He was found by members of the public who were also walking the track. They performed CPR until the Westpac rescue helicopter arrived and airlifted him to Tauranga Hospital were he was pronounced dead. Police would like to thank the people who worked in tandem for over an hour performing CPR in trying circumstances. The deceased man’s family were touched that strangers showed such dedication in trying to assist him. Matamata police would like to speak to the members of public who performed CPR.

February 8

Police attended a two car crash where a rental van had been travelling on State Highway 29. There were no injuries but extensive damage to the vehicles. Police are concerned by the number of burglaries happening in the north side of Matamata. They believe the burglars are targeting places that have access to Tom Grant or Centennial Dr. A house on Karaka St, two places in Pukatea Pl and a house in Maple Pl were targeted between 4.45am and 6.30am. Food and alcohol were taken. Police are also concerned by burglaries in Manawa St, Magnolia Dr, Wrigley Pl, Kestrel Cres and Kotoku Cres. Police believe they are linked. An engineering shop on Broadway was entered and items from the office were taken. There were also burglaries on Mulberry St, three on Seddon St, Gladstone Rd, Sheffield St, McGowan St and on rural roads including Walton Rd.

Police believe the burglary on Manawa St was linked to wilful damage to the nearby RSA and there is also graffiti on the St John building.

Police urge people to keep their property secure, be aware of their neighbours and if they see anything suspicious in the early hours of the morning in particular, to contact the police immediately.