Crimeline has changed. The report is now based on a police media briefing, and is written by the Wānaka App.

Wānaka police have had “a busy week”, according to constable Kiriana Flannery.

Police were kept busy with a range of long term and short term incidents, and staff also farewelled their senior sergeant, Chris Brooks, who has been transferred to Christchurch.

“We apprehended a shoplifter this week on 11 various shoplifting charges between Mitre 10 and New World,” Kiriana said.

“That had been ongoing for quite a few months. That person was caught up with, and arrested, and charged and will appear in Queenstown District Court.”

The person was not a local, she said.

Four or five locals have lost their licences for three months this past week, with “a bit of an increase” in drivers with too many demerit points, she said.

“People need to be aware it only takes three infringements within the two year period and they’ve already hit 100 demerit points.”

Following last week’s crash involving a truck and a car of tourists, there have been two more crashes this week where people were lucky to escape with no injuries. 

One accident took place on Cardrona Valley Road, and the other was a “truck versus a motorcycle” on Domain Road, Hāwea.

Both crashes took place in “high speed zones”, Kiriana said, and “given the circumstances they could have been a lot worse”.

There was a fire on Monley Lane on Friday night (February 23). 

“At this stage we’re calling it suspicious. We have a little bit of evidence but don’t know the full circumstances yet. We do have CCTV and are working through that for that area.

“The fire was quite big, it burnt out five rubbish bins and a few pallets and a whole heap of recycling out the back of Four Square and Wanafusion. It was lit between 11 and 11.30pm.”

Fire services were called, and there were a lot of people at the scene, Kiriana said.

“If anyone has any further information or saw anything that night can they come in [to the police station],” she said. Information can be provided anonymously online or by calling 105.

There was also a search and rescue operation yesterday, when a 22-year-old male from overseas was airlifted from Mt Aspiring after breaking his ankle. 

Read more: Climber airlifted from Mt Aspiring

Police also want to remind people they can call 105 for non-urgent reporting such as lost property. “It’s really quick to do,” Kiriana said.

Farewelling Chris Brooks

Senior sergeant Chris Brooks has left the Wānaka station after two years in the top job.

He told the Wānaka App he was being transferred to Christchurch, to a high risk custody unit.

Sergeant Darren Cranfield will be acting senior sergeant until a new senior sergeant is appointed.

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