Police faced a potentially explosive situation when a grenade was disposed of to Wastebusters on Saturday (September 29).

Senior Sergeant Fiona (Fi) Roberts said while she acknowledged the action was well intended, people should consider what they are disposing of and think through the implications.

“This is simply not okay,” Fi said.

“A big thank you to the team at Wastebusters who managed the situation extremely well. My advice, if you discover an unexploded ordnance, or if you are unsure of its status… don’t touch it, leave the area and call 111. Certainly don’t transport it to another location.”

She said police and the New Zealand Defence Force will activate an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) squadron to neutralise the ordnance.

“The EOD unit will attend any part of New Zealand, 24/7, 365 days a year to assess, remove, or destroy any potentially hazardous explosive items, which is what happened on this occasion.”

Later on Saturday a male was involved in a fight at Bullock Bar. 

“On police arrival he was aggressive, swearing and verbally abusive towards police,” Fi said. 

The man was warned for disorderly conduct, but police were called back later and he was arrested. 

“The male is facing charges of escape[ing] custody (he ran off and was located after being placed under arrest), disorderly behaviour and possession of cannabis,” Fi said.

Vehicle vs power pole

Last Thursday (September 26) at around 5 am police were called to “an incident involving a vehicle versus power pole on Aubrey Road”, Fi said.  

The driver was assessed by ambulance staff at the scene and there were no injuries. 

The driver has been charged with excess breath alcohol (903), dangerous driving, driving contrary to terms of zero alcohol and breach of bail. Police opposed bail and the driver has been remanded in custody.

“This is a disappointing incident. Police will continue to do everything within our power to remove recidivist drivers off our roads. The consequences are immense, on so many levels,” Fi said.

On Sunday night (September 29) a male who was driving west on Meadowstone Drive failed to see a car parked on the side of the road. The single occupant male driver left the scene before police arrived, without leaving his details with any of the witnesses. 

“The driver has since been located and spoken to. He has been charged with careless driving,” Fi said.

She said there were “some pleasing results” over the past week reported by the Impairment Prevention Team (IPT), with 501 vehicles stopped through checkpoints in Wānaka and drivers screened for alcohol. There was one excess breath/blood alcohol (EBA), awaiting blood results, Fi said.

Call 111 when you need an emergency response from police, fire or ambulance.

Call 105 to report things that don’t need urgent police assistance.

Call *555 to report road incidents that are urgent but not life-threatening.

To make an anonymous crime report contact Crime Stoppers.

PHOTO: Wānaka App