The Star: March 26, 2020

Thursday March 26 2020 The Star
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
Has it made us any safer?
NEWS 7
The vehicle was travelling
at high speed, in places, over
130km/h on gravel roads.
“The vehicle went into a large
rural property on a road nearby.
An occupant climbed out of the
driver’s window and opened a
gate, at which point five other
occupants exited the vehicle also
via the windows.
“Eagle crew located one man
attempting to run away, who
quickly realised he was not getting
away. The spotlight from
Eagle helped direct ground staff
to him. All six occupants were
taken into custody initially.
“The driver claimed he had failed
to stop because he thought he was
too drunk to drive. The vehicle was
not stolen or otherwise wanted,
however the male driver will appear
for failing to stop and other
traffic charges in April.”
By week three, the Eagle had
been used to track several vehicle
pursuits, taking away some of the
risk and danger these chases pose
to police and the public.
“In Timaru on 4 March just after
10am, a vehicle failed to stop
for police, but it was lost after the
patrol car abandoned the pursuit.
It was successfully located in the
car park of a tavern in town,”
said Superintendent Price.
“Two men were seen running
north from the tavern. A dog unit
tracked to the corner of Lough
and Wilson Sts.
“Once on scene, Eagle began a
search of a park which was the last
known location of the offenders.
“During the search a suspicious
vehicle was sighted on Meremere
St, with two occupants inside.
“The people inside the vehicle
at the park were not related to the
failing-to-stop job, however the
passenger was found to not only
be in possession of drugs but also
a pistol, which police thought was
linked to a rural burglary where
firearms were taken.
“The man was arrested and
charged with seven offences - two
charges of possession of a weapon
and ammunition, four charges of
possession of methamphetamine
for supply, and one charge of receives
property (believed to be a
firearm from the rural burglary).
“Eagle continued surveillance
for the offenders who had failed
to stop in the previous job, and
the suspected driver was eventually
located inside his home
address several kilometres away
by ground staff making inquiries
there. The driver was arrested for
failing to stop and also a historic
fingerprint burglary match.”
On March 4, a Subaru was seen
swerving all over the roads with
no headlights on near Darfield.
EAGLE EYE: The
Eagle helicopter
allowed police
pursuits to be
conducted in
a safer manner
by tracking
vehicles and
communicating
with ground
units.
PHOTO: NZ
POLICE
“The driver was located,
monitored and stopped with the
assistance of Eagle, and after
breath testing, was found to have
1012 micrograms of alcohol per
litre of breath. The passenger, a
known offender, was found to be
in possession of drugs.”
Just days after on March 6, a
stolen vehicle was spotted near
Marshland going 160km/h.
During this incident the Eagle
teamed up with a police dog to
track a suspect.
“Eagle arrived on scene soon
after and identified the target
vehicle driving southbound at a
reduced speed on Main North
Rd,” said Superintendent Price.
“No units were in pursuit or
close to the vehicle due to the
speed, so Eagle provided commentary
and suggested suitable
locations for ground units to set up
spikes on Pound and Ryan Rds.
“The spiking impacted all of
the vehicles tyres and the vehicle
slowed to a stop on Pound Rd.
“The driver got out and ran to a
bush line whereby Eagle provided
support to a police dog unit who
located the offender. The offender
is charged with driving while
disqualified and failing to stop.
“Eagle’s involvement helped
reduce the possibility of major
damage or injury.”
Superintendent Price said other
notable incidents involving the
Eagle included dangerous driving
incidents in central Christchurch
on March 9, New Brighton on
March 10 and Wainoni on March
13 – all of which led to arrests.
“The way these offenders were
prepared to flee from ground units
showed a distinct lack of regard for
other road users, pedestrians and
the safety of all the public,” Superintendent
Price said.
“Eagle has helped our groundbased
staff by attending a range
of events including a number
of road policing jobs. It’s been
a good tool to assist with our
front line teams working to halt
offenders in their tracks.”
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