Burglar arrested in the water - Waitakere

Waitemata Police thank members of the public for their assistance for an unusual arrest on Monday 29 December.

Police were notified of a suspicious car in the Whenuapai area, prompting a number of Police units to attend. The car had been stolen earlier that day from an address in Massey.

The car was soon located in Totara Road, Whenuapai. A number of items associated with committing burglary were found in the car.

A Police dog unit attempted to track from the car, but a man was then seen getting into a row boat which had been stolen from a property on Totara Road and made his way into the mangroves towards open water in an attempt to evade Police.

He was asked by Police to return to shore a number of times but refused.

The eight attending Police Constables at the scene then had to take action creatively to ensure the man didn’t get further away. He was not wearing a life jacket and the row boat was taking on water.

One Constable stripped down and entered the water to swim out to the man and negotiate with him.

Another Constable was taken by a local jetskier to assist the Constable in the water.

Another two Constables joined a member of the public on his small boat and assisted with the recovery of the stolen row boat and apprehension of the man.

The man was arrested and the stolen boat recovered without further incident.

Senior Sergeant Grant Tetzlaff of Waitakere Police says that the actions of Police staff and members of the public at the scene to ensure the man was apprehended quickly and without incident were outstanding.

“There were a number of members of the public present and willing to assist with this incident by offering the use of their various vessels without hesitation, for which we are very grateful. After stripping down and catching a burglar in the water, it’s nice to come back to shore to a round of applause from residents standing on the jetty!”

The 33 year old man has been charged with burglary, unlawfully taking a vehicle, unlawfully in an enclosed yard and theft and will appear in Waitakere District Court today.

ENDS

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