Operation Kite ongoing after yacht recovered

Canterbury Police can confirm that 52 year old Paul BENNETT and his partner 38 year old Simone WRIGHT were the only two people onboard the stolen $150k yacht ‘Harlech’ which was boarded by New South Wales Police last night (16 February 2015).

New South Wales Police arrested BENNETT who is being held in custody to appear in a New South Wales Court on charges in relation to the yacht and a historic matter relating to a previous visit to Australia. New South Wales Police have released WRIGHT, an Australian citizen, who was not charged in relation to the stolen yacht.

Canterbury Police Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Anderson says “The joint investigation between New Zealand and the New South Wales Police is still in its early stages. We are working through the legal aspects inherent in a two-country Police investigation with New South Wales Police, Interpol and New Zealand Police Liaison Officers in Sydney.”

Detective Senior Sergeant Anderson explained the last thing New Zealand Police want to do is jeopardise any possible future court hearings. “It is also too early in the process to comment on what other charges may be laid or whether either person will be extradited.”

There has been a lot of work undertaken by different government agencies in New Zealand to locate BENNETT and WRIGHT together with substantial assistance and input from two of the complainants of their alleged offending.

“Northland Police did some fantastic work when the yacht was reported stolen from Opua. This included distributing information and making the public, in particular the sailing fraternity, aware of the theft which resulted in the recovery of the yacht last night.” said Detective Senior Sergeant Anderson.

“We’d like to give a special mention to the kiwi teenager who spotted the yacht off the coast of New South Wales and recognised it from a sailing publication as the stolen ‘Harlech’ . His intuition and quick thinking not only ensured the recovery the $150k stolen yacht but also two people wanted by New South Wales and New Zealand Police being detained."

As this matter is now before the courts Police will not be making any further comment.

ENDS

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