Attributable to Detective Sergeant Grant Johnstone:
Police have executed a search warrant and arrested a man in relation to recent offending in Invercargill.
The warrant was executed at a residential address in Invercargill on Thursday morning, in relation to a ram raid at a store on Windsor Street on Monday and an aggravated robbery at a store on Centre Street on Wednesday.
A 27-year-old man is scheduled to appear in Invercargill District Court today (Friday), facing charges in relation to the aggravated robbery, including unlawfully taking a vehicle used in the incident.
The 27-year-old is facing further charges in relation to two other stolen vehicles Police located on the property during the search warrant.
These vehicles are believed to have been stolen overnight on Wednesday, and one is understood to have been involved in a ram raid at a store on Bill Richardson Drive on Thursday morning.
The man is also facing a raft of additional charges in relation to other matters.
Enquiries remain ongoing into the Windsor Street incident.
Police would like to reassure the business community and the general public that we are working hard to hold those who participate in unlawful behaviour, to account.
“We are determined to resolve this matter and prevent an escalation of this type of offending in Invercargill.
“We acknowledge this type of offending causes concern and harm in our community and it will not be tolerated.
“It is a timely reminder for vehicle and business owners to review the security systems they have in place and for members of the public to ensure vehicles are secure and items of value are not left inside when unattended.”
Police would encourage anyone who has information regarding the ram raid on Windsor Street to contact Invercargill Police via 105 or through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111, quoting file number 220815/1646.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre