Alleged scammer f lees country: police

A British national wanted in connection with a series of roofing scams in Auckland is believed to have fled the country, police say.

James Nolan, 26, was arrested by police in January but later failed to appear in court and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Nolan was charged with dishonestly using a document in relation to an alleged roofing scam.

He faced further charges of assault, reckless driving and fraud after an incident at Auckland’s Takapuna Beach on January 13.

Two other British nationals, Tommy Ward, 26, and William Donohue, 25, were also charged over the alleged scam.

They also faced charges of dishonestly using a document and appeared in Hutt Valley District Court on Wednesday.

Ward and Donohue appeared in court again yesterday via audio visual link, when they both applied for bail.

However, Judge Craig Thompson wanted to know their travel documents were secure so they couldn’t leave the country.

They were remanded in custody to appear in Wellington District Court today.

The court heard on Wednesday all three men were charged with knowingly using a false document as if it were genuine – a false roofcare business card and invoice.

Yesterday afternoon, police confirmed they believed Nolan had fled the country. They were making inquiries with overseas ‘‘partner agencies’’.

Meanwhile, a fourth man who was arrested with Ward and Donohue on Wednesday has been released without charges.

Police originally said they had arrested three men at a Lower Hutt address about 3.45am on Wednesday.

‘‘All three men are due to appear in . . . [court] on a range of charges,’’ police said at the time.

However, police later told Stuff the man arrested with Ward and Donohue was released without being charged.

‘‘The third person was located with two known alleged offenders. His identity was not known at the time,’’ a police spokesman told Stuff yesterday.

That person was assisting police with inquiries, police said.