EMERGENCY SERVICES Stolen guns of concern

July 21

An unoccupied house on Western St was burgled. Police have recovered forensic items of interest.

Matamata Primary was burgled. Police believe the offenders were young because a shed containing sandpit play items was forced open and the offenders played in the sandpit and made sandcastles. Windows and walls were tagged.

Arawa St and Hetana St were also tagged. Police know the identity of some of the group involved in this ‘‘ frustrating crime’’, as ‘‘ the offenders don’t care about the impact of their crime’’. Police also know that a ‘‘ variety of ethnicities are involved’’ and that different tags relate to different groups. Police say it seems the groups are trying to out do each other in regards to the amount of graffiti they can do. The police have photos of one tagger in action and have information on others.

July 25

A Paratu Rd address was burgled between 9.30am and 1.30pm. The house was entered by a window, and a laptop and a jewellery box was taken. Of immense concern to the police was that five firearms were taken including a Winchester pump action, a Winchester 303 and an Infield 303 as well as ammunition. The freezer was also emptied of a butchered beast and a chainsaw was taken. Over the past three months there have been five activities like this in the Richmond Downs area. As this is a secluded part of the Waikato and is not a thoroughfare, police believe that the offenders have local knowledge of area. On the day of the burglary a silver/ grey ute with a single axis trailer, which was covered in tarps, was seen near the property. On July 29 another suspicious car, a blue and white 4WD Mitsubishi Delica, was seen.

Two young people lit a small fire behind the library. Police are following up with their parents.

July 27

A vehicle was unlawfully taken from a Kutia Rd address after a house was entered and the keys removed. The vehicle, a silver 2004 Holden Commodore with the registration plate of EQA683, was located later that day in a paddock on Dunlop Rd.

Fire July 24

Fire crews from Matamata and Te Aroha, as well as police and ambulance, attended a house fire on Firth St. One person was taken to hospital after the fire, which was thought to be caused by a heater being too close to furniture.