Early this morning Rangiora Police supported by NZ Army staff arrested seven young offenders who were breaching a cordon in the Kaiapoi suburb of Courtney Downs.
Courtney Downs is an area that has been severely affected by the Canterbury earthquake and many houses are currently unoccupied.
The seven were travelling in a vehicle stolen from the Rangiora area and had been moving around the Rolleston area and the North Canterbury areas of Clarkville, Ohoka and Spencerville.
Police and army personnel spotted the group within the cordon at Kaiapoi at around 2am. The group ran through numerous deserted properties trying to elude police and army. Six of the group were caught.
A seventh male youth, who had stolen a bicycle from a garage in Kaiapoi rode to Rangiora and was located by police there some time later.
Army personnel did a mailbox drop in Kaiapoi which gave details of the bike, and a short time later the owner came forward and police were able to return the bike to him.
"These arrests send another clear message to people contemplating illegal activity or behaviour as a result of the Canterbury earthquake - this will not be tolerated by police," said Senior Sergeant Warren Newbury of Rangiora Police.
Two males aged 15, one aged 14 and another aged 17 were arrested. One 13 year old female and a 17 year old female were also arrested, together with another youth.
Police are still investigating the extent of the activity the group were involved in.
Members of the group were due to appear in the Christchurch Youth Court and the Christchurch District Court today.
ENDS
Media contact: Senior Sergeant Warren Newbury, Rangiora Police, on (03) 313 6167