Kumeu Police say a group of young people who were gathered at a remote location of Muriwai Beach last Sunday, may be able to assist them locate a missing off road motorcycle and clothing valued at near 10 thousand dollars.
Police say that about 10.30am on Sunday 8 October 2006 a 40 year old North Shore man drove a small truck with his Kawasaki off road motorcycle aboard to Muriwai Beach. He parked the truck in the car park at the southern access to the beach and immediately headed off along the coastline on his bike.
After riding along the beach, for a distance of about 13 kilometres it was discovered that salt water had entered the air filter causing the bike to stop. He secured the bike up a ledge and then began a lengthy walk to the car park to collect his truck and eventually return to retrieve the motorcycle.
Some two kilometres south, he saw five vehicles all of them four wheel drives parked on the beach. A group of six young adults were with the vehicles. The five males and one female were drinking alcohol.
The owner of the motorcycle explained his situation but the group offered no assistance. The man then continued his walk of more than 10 x kilometres to the car park, picked up his truck and returned to the location where he had left his motorcycle. It took over two hours to accomplish the round journey.
On his arrival back at the site he discovered that both his bike and his clothing were missing. After following tyre tracks and footprints the victim came upon three of the vehicles and some of the group whom he had talked to earlier.
While he was again speaking to them, the group became very agitated and so the victim left them with his business card and asked them to contact him if they had any information on the whereabouts of his bike and his clothing.
Kumeu Police say they would like to speak to the entire group who were present when the victim first encountered them at Muriwai Beach last Sunday.
"The group clearly have information which is of interest to Police and they will be able to assist us with our enquiries into the whereabouts of the valuable Kawasaki and the victim's personal clothing," said Constable Martyn Spear.
'This victim was in trouble. He was in a remote location on Muriwai Beach and when he asked this group for their help, they coldly and without remorse ignored his plea. They are suspects in the theft of both the bike and property.'
"These individuals know the Muriwai Beach locality well. Therefore there will be people who know who these people are. There will be coast watchers who are regularly observing activity in the area of beach where this incident took place," he said.
'Although the sector of the beach is remote it is in close proximity to Helensville, and Woodhill Forest is on the eastern border of the coastline. Someone will know these individuals and someone will have seen them in possession of the bike and possibly wearing or even trying to sell the clothing.'
"Police are pursuing some avenues of enquiry and so have released details of the alleged offenders and their vehicles. We hope that these individuals will be sensible enough to come forward to talk to Police so that we can get the motorcycle and clothing returned intact to the victim," Constable Spear said.
Anyone with information about these persons or the incident on Muriwai Beach is requested to contact Constable Martyn Spear at Kumeu/Huapai Police Station on 09 412 7756.
Ends:
Kevin [Kev] Loughlin
District Communications Manager
North Shore/Waitakere/Rodney Police
Telephone: 09-488-9758 - Mobile: 027-281-0271
Email: kevin.loughlin@police.govt.nz
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The descriptions of four of the alleged offenders are:
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Male - European, - driver of one of the 4 x 4 vehicles
Age - 20's
Slight build with fair complexion
Height - 175 cm tall.
Hair - Ginger with long dreadlocks.
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Male - European
Age - 20's
Slight build
Height - 180 cm tall
Hair - Scruffy, untidy long hair.
Tattoo - this is evident across the right hip at his waist.
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Male - Maori or Polynesian
Age - 25 years or more.
Chubby build
Hair - short, black
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Female - Maori or Polynesian
Age - early 20's
Chubby build
Hair tied at the back.
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The following vehicles were seen in the possession of the
alleged offenders at the time the victim first spoke to them.
• An early model 4 x 4 Land-rover - coloured dark green - possibly has a canvas canopy • A hard top 4 x 4 Suzuki - coloured white • A Toyota - Landcruiser • A vehicle with no registration plates • A vehicle with a short wheel base
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Description of the Kawasaki motorcycle and clothing:
• Kawasaki - Off road trail bike - Model KLX 30087 - Value at over $7,000 • Colour - Green/Black/White
• HJC Helmet - Colour is Silver/Black • Kawasaki Race Shirt - Colour is Green / White / Black • Long Sleeved Shirt with - "Kenny Racing" in black and white on back • 'O'Neil' - Off road pants - Colour is Grey / Black