Two men arrested in alleged Masterton crime spree

Two men are appearing in the Masterton District Court tomorrow charged in connection to an alleged crime spree early last night.

Officer in charge of the Wairarapa CIB Detective Senior Sergeant Sean Hansen says at about 5:15pm last night, a 1996 dark green Honda CRV, registration number AQM951 was stolen from Southey Honda on the corner of Park and Dixon Streets in Masterton.

"It's alleged that at about 5:45pm, this vehicle then went to Liquor King on Queen Street, where a male wearing a hooded sweatshirt with his face concealed, stole a quantity of alcohol before making off in the stolen Honda CRV."

Sean Hansen says shortly after this, the car has headed about eight kilometres out out of Masterton on Opaki Road to a rural property, which was the subject of a burglary, where three firearms and a quantity of ammunition where among items stolen.

"Soon after at about 6:20pm, the Honda CRV was set alight behind an industrial building on Akura Road, where two males with hooded sweatshirts were seen leaving on foot, with one carrying a firearm."

He says shortly after 7pm last night, the Fire Service was then called to a second suspicious fire, where a shed was on fire in Essex Street.

Wairarapa Police, with the assistance of the Wellington District Armed Offenders Squad, searched two Kumar Crescent properties in the early hours of this morning. Police recovered the stolen firearms at a Renall Street property, as well other items stolen in the Opaki Road burglary, at about 9:30am this morning, in a further search.

"As a result, Police have arrested two males, aged 17 and 18, who are in custody to appear in the Masterton District Court tomorrow. They are facing charges including theft of a motor vehicle, arson and burglary. Enquiries into the Essex Street fire are continuing."

D/S/S Hansen says, "The theft of these firearms and ammunition last night caused us huge concern. As we have said on numerous occasions, Wairarapa Police take a zero tolerance approach to this type of behaviour. We are pleased to have recovered these firearms safely, before anyone was injured or worse."

Police are urging anyone who saw the stolen dark green 1996 Honda CRV, registration number AQM951 last night, between 5:15pm until about 6:25pm, when it was found burnt out in Akura Road, to contact them as soon as possible on (06) 370 0330 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

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