Torch, possible weapon give women scare

A MAN gave three young women in Dunedin a scare on Sunday night when he shone a torch into their car before pulling out what appeared to be a weapon.

The women, who had been parked near Prospect Park, in North Dunedin, at 10.30pm, drove off when the man revealed what looked like either a screwdriver or a knife.

Senior Sergeant Craig Dinnissen, of Dunedin, said the man followed on foot for a short time before disappearing. When police searched the location later that evening they found no trace of the man.

A man seen using a coathanger, hammer and screwdriver to break into a car parked in Ensor St, Dunedin, at 7.15pm on Sunday, told police the car had belonged to him until it was stolen five years ago.

Unfortunately for the man, the vehicle had been in the possession of the registered owner since at least 2011.

The 35yearold man was subsequently arrested.

Once again, alcohol was a driving factor in several incidents across the weekend.

A 28yearold man was seen swerving and indicating incorrectly as he drove down Forbury Rd in Dunedin early on Saturday morning.

When stopped by police near Macandrew Rd just before 5am, the man said he was driving his ‘‘associate’’ in the front passenger seat home, Snr Sgt Dinnissen said.

He recorded over 900mcg in a roadside breath test but elected to have a blood sample taken.

Just before 2pm on Saturday, a 35yearold man was stopped by police after he was recorded driving at 71km in a 60km zone.

The man recorded a breath alcohol reading of 462mcg. The legal limit is 250mcg.

Later on Saturday night, two intoxicated men were seen smashing windows of Two Chefs, a bistro in central Dunedin, before taking off into the Octagon chased by security personnel.

When police caught up with the 35yearold and 22yearold, the men were “uncooperative, obstructive and disorderly” Snr Sgt Dinnissen said.

Two cars were seen leaving the scene of an abandoned car which had been set on fire late Sunday night.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand accompanied police to Three Mile Hill lookout at 11.30pm. The car was believed to be a red, twodoor Honda Civic.