Praneeta Mahajan
Hamilton, August 20, 2024
In a significant breakthrough, Waikato Police have apprehended an 18-year-old man from Ōtorohanga following the ramming of a Police vehicle during a chaotic gathering of anti-social road users in Hamilton on Saturday night. The arrest marks a critical step in the ongoing investigation into a night of widespread disorder that saw over 1000 people participating in illegal street activities.
The teenager faces serious charges, including intentional damage causing danger to life, dangerous driving, and receiving stolen property. Police have also seized a freshly painted Ute believed to have been used in the ramming incident. The vehicle was recovered during the execution of search warrants at two properties in Ōtorohanga, with additional inquiries conducted in Huntly. The vehicle is now undergoing a forensic examination as part of the investigation.
The accused has been granted bail and is expected to appear in the Hamilton District Court this Friday.
Anti-social road users
Events that took place during early hours of Sunday in Hamilton have sent shockwaves through the community, as more than 1,000 anti-social road users took to the streets, causing extensive damage and engaging in dangerous activities. What began as an illegal street racing event quickly spiralled out of control, with participants not only violating traffic laws but also turning hostile towards police officers.
As the night wore on, the situation became increasingly perilous. Hostile individuals began throwing projectiles, discharging fireworks, and shining lasers at police.
Amidst the chaos, four separate Police vehicles were deliberately rammed by participants, one of which resulted in a Police officer being knocked to the ground. Thankfully, the officer sustained only minor injuries, but the incident underscored the growing danger of the situation.
Police Crackdown
In response to the mayhem, Police took decisive action, impounding five vehicles and issuing over 100 infringements, including 20 green stickers and eight pink stickers for vehicle defects. Despite these immediate actions, the scale and intensity of the disorder have prompted an ongoing investigation, with Police vowing to hold all those responsible accountable.
Detective Sergeant Matt Lee said, “Videos of the event have played a crucial role in leading to today’s arrest. We are continuing to investigate the unlawful behaviour from the weekend, focusing on identifying, locating, and taking enforcement action against those responsible.”
Police have expressed their gratitude to members of the public who have provided valuable information and issued a stern warning to those involved.
“We are reviewing video evidence recorded by those who took part in this event, and we will make every effort to hold people accountable for their dangerous and violent actions,” Mr Lee added.
As the investigation continues, Police are urging anyone with additional information to come forward. Authorities remain committed to addressing the reckless behaviour that disrupted the community and endangered lives, emphasising that such actions will not be tolerated.
Praneeta Mahajan is an Indian Newslink reporter based in Hamilton.
