12 arrests over weekend; 7 people in court today

QUEENSTOWN police responded to several incidents during the Winter Festival which led to 12 arrests, nine of them alcoholrelated.

Senior Sergeant Paula Enoka, of Queenstown, said the incidents were not necessarily related to the event, and called them the unfortunate actions of a minority ‘‘who behaved in a disorderly manner’’.

Seven will appear in court today and five were released after being given a precharge warning.

‘‘Over three evenings, 12 arrests is more than we would usually get. There’s more people in town,’’ she said.

A number related to drinkdriving.

At 3am yesterday a 33yearold local man was arrested on Thompson St for alleged drinkdriving after recording a breathalcohol level of 570mcg.

A 43yearold woman from Wanaka, stopped driving on the Frankton Rd, blew 785mcg.

Another driver was stopped by police during a random check on Man St. She blew 932mcg.

A number of alleged assaults were also reported.

An 18yearold male reportedly struck another man in the chest, causing him to fall to the ground.

He faces an assault charge and will appear in court today.

There was also an altercation in Queenstown Mall between three men on Saturday morning and a man in his early 20s was charged with disorderly behaviour likely to cause violence.

His mate, who was also involved, was given a precharge warning, after being trespassed from Queenstown police station.

Shortly afterwards an Australian man threw water over and grabbed a security guard after being removed from a bar on Searle Lane.

In another incident, police say a 19yearold male will appear in court today for unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle.

Snr Sgt Enoka said alcohol was involved.

‘‘He has got into a parked vehicle and fallen asleep.’’

Other arrests related to cannabis possession and a shoplifting incident.