Lower Hutt Police arrested nine Mongrel Mob members and associates this morning and charged them with a variety of offences following the intimidation of a woman and her two children in Pomare 11 days ago.
Inspector Geoff Gwyn, Lower Hutt Response Manager, said those arrested - all patched gang members or associates - appeared in the Lower Hutt District Court today. One further person will be summonsed to appear in court at a later date.
Those arrested have been charged with a variety of offences including intimidation, burglary, receiving stolen property and possession of cannabis. Further charges are pending.
Fifty uniform and CIB staff from Lower Hutt and elsewhere in the Wellington District were involved in executing seven search warrants on residential properties in Pomare today.
Inspector Gwyn said the operation followed a complaint late last week from a distressed Pomare woman that she and her two children aged four and two years had been intimidated by gang members.
A day after the woman fled her home with the children, her house was seen to be broken into by gang members and property removed.
Inspector Gwyn said the woman is now living out of the district and police have steps in place to ensure her safety.
Some stolen property has been recovered, including a harp valued at $8500 which has now been returned by police to its very grateful owner. The harp had been is alleged to have been stolen from a car parked in Wellington.
"The sort of offending which sparked today's operation is unacceptable," Inspector Gwyn said. "We will continue to take swift action against gangs in this area."
Ends
released by
Kaye Calder
Wellington Police District communications manager
Tel 04 496 3464