Suspected hit-andrun driver caught
The family of a man killed in a hit and run say they’re happy the man allegedly responsible has been arrested, but say the battle has just begun.
Police allege Liam Strickland, a patched Black Power gang member, fatally hit pedestrian Dean Amies, 46, while fleeing police in New Brighton, Christchurch, on August 7.
Acting Canterbury district commander Superintendent Mike Johnson said the armed offenders squad found and arrested the 21-year-old yesterday evening.
The investigation into Amies’ death continues, he said.
‘‘We would like to thank members of the public in Canterbury for their assistance and understanding while police have made proactive enquiries to locate him.
‘‘Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased at this time.’’
Amies brother, John Amies, told The Press the family was happy to hear Strickland had been arrested.
‘‘It’s f…ing good news I can tell you that. The battle is only going to begin – we’ve got a long road ahead, we have to get justice.’’
Johnson said earlier yesterday that police had arrested 20 people and searched 43 properties in the search for Strickland.
A significant amount of resources had been committed to finding Strickland. Johnson ordered a district-wide arming of police while Strickland was on the run. He confirmed the order had been lifted since Strickland was found.
At least six firearms were found in the search for Strickland.
‘‘The locating of the firearms confirms the ready access to firearms that gang members have and is an obvious cause of concern to police due to the danger they present,’’ Johnson said.
Victoria University of Wellington criminology lecturer Dr Sarah Monod de Froideville said a person on the run would have to avoid almost all electronic communications, such as ATMs, eftpos and credit cards. Cellphones and social media were a little easier to use as a person could hide behind a false identity. Those on the run also had to avoid ‘‘the watchful eye of citizen surveillance’’, she said.
‘‘You’d have to have a pretty organised network of people to assist you to get by.’’
In 2008, William Alexander Stewart, later known as Billy the Hunted one, caused more than $300,000 in damage and losses while he evaded police for 100 days.
In the early 1960s, George Wilder stayed on the run for 172 days after escaping Mt Eden prison in Auckland with three others by tying sheets and scaling the prison wall.
While evading police Wilder committed 40 burglaries and travelled 2600 kilometres. The Howard Morrison Quartet had a number one hit based on the saga, named George Wild(er) the NZ Boy.
Victoria University criminology Professor John Pratt said the search for Strickland was on a different scale.
‘‘This guy is a member of Black Power – not a little man against the authorities, but a gang member – different altogether. By definition he becomes dangerous.’’
Meanwhile, Southland police have arrested a ‘‘dangerous criminal’’ who allegedly rammed police cars and stole two loaded police guns in Gore.
The alleged offender was on the run after the incident just before midnight on Wednesday.
The 24-year-old wanted man was found and taken into custody by police yesterday afternoon.
On Thursday night the alleged offender posted a public message on a Facebook story saying ‘‘stay safe Deep South, don’t believe everything in the media’’.