Katikati Police Report Drop in Crime but Warn of Ongoing Scams

Katikati Police Sergeant Steve Hindmarsh has reported a welcome decrease in criminal activity over the past month, though officers remain occupied with a range of incidents including burglaries, vehicle thefts, and online fraud. Among the more serious offences, a worksite office and shipping container on Prolea Road in Ōmokoroa was broken into with bulk tools stolen, while a caravan on Ōmokoroa Road was also targeted.

Two vehicles were stolen during the period – a silver Toyota Hilux from McDonnell Street, Ōmokoroa, and a black 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander taken from near the Ōmokoroa Boat Club. Police also responded to scam-related incidents, including a Facebook fraud where a fake profile was used to collect a deposit on goods that were never going to be delivered, and a cold-call scam where a Katikati man lost a significant sum after being convinced his internet was slow by someone posing as a Spark representative.

Sgt Hindmarsh urged the public never to follow instructions from unsolicited cold callers, noting they are often calling from overseas and can be very convincing. Several arrests were made during the period, including a 50-year-old Te Puna man charged with threatening to kill, possession of offensive weapons, and possession of methamphetamine pipes and cannabis. He was remanded in custody after a search warrant was executed at his address. The public are reminded to call 111 for incidents in progress and 105 for reporting after the event.

Originally published in Katikati News (Sun Media).