Arrests after gang-shooting search
Police have taken ‘‘a number of people’’ into custody as the investigation into a slain Mongrel Mob member heats up.
Kevin ‘‘Kastro’’ Ratana, 27, was killed at a Puriri St, Whanganui, home last Tuesday morning in a shooting, believed to be an attack by rival gang Black Power.
Last night, police confirmed ‘‘a number of people’’ were in custody and charges could be laid.
Police cordons blocked the road yesterday in Matipo St, Castlecliff, which is two streets away from the house where Ratana was killed.
Police confirmed the searches were related to the shooting and said several properties were being searched throughout Whanganui.
Detective Inspector Ross McKay said some of those in custody were expected to be released on bail, while others wouldn’t as ‘‘potential charges are confirmed’’.
‘‘Police also today recovered a number of firearms, firearms parts, and ammunition,’’ McKay said yesterday.
‘‘The Whanganui community can expect to continue to see an increased number of armed police, investigative staff, and the Eagle helicopter in the area as we work on the investigation. ‘‘The main search area today was adjacent to a local primary school. ‘‘Police used the opportunity to visit the primary school with the Eagle helicopter and speak with the pupils there, to offer reassurance.’’
The armed offenders squad was at the scene earlier yesterday and police were going in and out of two houses on the street.
One house has a Black Power flag flying from the roof, and Black Power members were seen in the street watching police.
Meanwhile, hundreds of Mongrel Mob gang members flooded into the city yesterday for Ratana’s funeral at a marae north of Whanganui.
Inspector Mark Harrison said there could be tension in the city overnight and gang members had been fortifying their properties and covering fences so people could not see into their properties.
‘‘We know from experience when there is gang versus gang violence there is always a time of gangs building up or protecting themselves so it’s not out of the normal and it’s part of the reason we have additional resources in town.’’
Harrison said police had no information to suggest anything would happen, but the police helicopter was in town and it could get to any area in the city within 30 seconds.
‘‘If something does happen we are able to respond.’’
Whanganui area commander Inspector Nigel Allan said residents should feel reassured by the increased police presence, not alarmed.
McKay said last week that both Ratana and the group that carried out the attack were ‘‘known’’ to police. He believed more than one person was involved in the shooting.
Extra police were brought in from Manawatu¯ and Whanganui to help with the investigation.