Arrest made following ramming of Police car

Police recover the ute believed to have been involved in ramming a Police car on the weekend. Photo: NZ Police.

A man is due to appear in court on Friday charged with intentional damage causing danger to life, receiving stolen property, and dangerous driving following an incident on the weekend in Hamilton.

Waikato Police have today arrested and charged an 18-year-old Ōtorohanga man following the ramming of a police vehicle during an unruly gathering of anti-social road users in Hamilton on Saturday night.

Police have also recovered a freshly painted ute believed to have been involved in the ramming.

"It comes after the execution of search warrants at two Ōtorohanga properties, and enquiries in Huntly, where the vehicle was located," says Detective Sergeant Matt Lee.

On Sunday, Waikato Police sought the public’s help to identify offenders involved in the incident.

"The man has been charged with intentional damage causing danger to life, dangerous driving, and receiving stolen property."

He has been bailed to appear in the Hamilton District Court on Friday.

The vehicle has been seized and taken away for forensic examination.

"More than 1000 anti-social road users caused damage to vehicles, and disrupted the community in Hamilton on Saturday night," says Detective Sergeant Lee.

"Over the course of several hours, crowds took part in illegal street racing before hostile individuals began to throwing projectiles, discharging fireworks and shining lasers at Police."

Detective Sergeant Lee says five vehicles were impounded, and Police issued more than 100 infringements, 20 green stickers and eight pink stickers.

The teenager’s charges relate to one of four separate incidents in which Police vehicles were rammed.

"In this incident, a police officer was knocked to the ground and was lucky to receive only minor injuries," says Detective Sergeant Lee.

"Videos of the event assisted Police in today’s outcomes."

Police are continuing to investigate unlawful behaviour from the weekend, focussing on identifying, locating and taking enforcement action.

"We want to thank the members of the public who have provided valuable information and our warning to all those involved is that we are continuing to review the video evidence recorded by those who took part in this event, and we will be making every effort to hold people to account for their dangerous and violent actions."

Police want to hear from anyone with information that can assist the ongoing investigation.

Information can be provided via 105.

Please refer to file number 240818/1998.

Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.

6 comments

Hmmmm

Posted on 19-08-2024 19:19 | By Yadick

That's the whitest looking ute I've ever seen . . .


Resprayed

Posted on 19-08-2024 22:23 | By Justin T.

All that effort to keep a stolen vehicle that's been filmed and spread all over the New Channels makes about as much sense as reversing into a police car.


Hmmm

Posted on 19-08-2024 22:41 | By Let's get real

If the case against the 19 year old is proven in court can we all look forward to seeing this vehicle crushed in a junkyard and pictures of the offenders on their way to prison.
The feral section of our communities need to witness some real consequences for their antisocial behaviour.


@Let's get real.

Posted on 20-08-2024 07:06 | By Justin T.

Exactly! That gets my vote.


@ Let's get real + Justin T

Posted on 20-08-2024 08:11 | By Yadick

Got my vote 100% too.
Oops, didn't think about a paint job respray. You're onto it Justin :-)


justice will be done

Posted on 20-08-2024 13:18 | By Watchdog

Sooner or later these young people will wake up and realise they cannot win in the long run. Science will figure out what was done to the Ute after the ramming.
Just when you crush the ute, make sure to remove the offenders first....perhaps!


Leave a Comment


You must be logged in to make a comment.