29 December 2011
While commending the behaviour of the vast majority of motorists, changing their driving to meet challenging conditions on popular holiday routes Waikato Police say they are concerned about the activities of a minority.
Detective Sergeant Martyn Hughes of the Thames CIB said officers were called to two separate incidents near the town shortly after midday where objects were either thrown from or thrown at moving vehicles.
"In the first incident Police were called to the vicinity of the local yacht club after reports two women in a car travelling on SH25 towards Thames had been tailgated by a 4x4 utility that was high-beaming them with its headlights.
"The driver of the women's car has pulled over to allow the 4x4 to pass however the utility has pulled over a short distance away and the women have passed it and the male driver has again commenced tailgating the women's car."
Mr Hughes said things took a turn for the worse when the 4x4 then passed the women again and disappeared around a bend.
"It appears the male driver of the 4x4 has got out of his stationary vehicle, grabbed a rock or similar object and thrown it at the women's car as it passed, shattering the front passenger's window, showering the occupants in glass.
"Responding units located the offender a short distance down the road and he was arrested and taken back to the station. The 24-year-old man will be summonsed to appear in the Thames District Court at a later date on assault and wilful damage charges."
The passenger in the car suffered minor scratches in the incident and officers were just beginning formal interviews of the victims and offender when a call came on the radio of a second incident.
"In this case officers were called to Kopu after a local business owner and a worker reported the occupants of a dark coloured people-mover vehicle throwing glass bottles at people.
"The pair saw the vehicle pull into the car park of a local tavern and when Police arrived an 18-year-old male admitted throwing 'a few' bottles at people. Arrested at the scene he was issued a pre-charge warning. Disturbing for us was the group told officers they had left Auckland earlier in the day and had been drinking since 8am, fortunately they had a sober driver."
Mr Hughes said the behaviour demonstrated by the offenders in both incidents indicated a callous attitude towards the potential tragedy of their actions.
"Safety on our roads is everyone's responsibility. By and large the vast majority of drivers are behaving excellently which, given the changing conditions, is excellent news. Those whose behaviour is not up to the mark however can expect the full extent of the law to be applied to them."
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