Sharp eyed Hamilton vehicle owner leads Police to Te Aroha home invaders

Waikato Police are crediting the sharp eyes of a vehicle owner who, despite changed number plates, recognised his stolen utility and raised the alarm- leading Police to uncover a range of offences.

District Shift Manager, Acting Senior Sergeant Dave Raffan, said the man's call came in about 10pm and it wasn't long before officers discovered links between the vehicle's theft and an incident in Te Aroha a few hours earlier.

"About 6pm a man went to a Te Aroha address where a domestic related argument developed.

"A side window of his car was smashed and he has driven off, returning a short time later with three male associates armed with a softball bat and a baton. The group has then smashed their way into the house."

Mr Raffan said a male at the address was assaulted by the group but the extent of the victim's injuries are unknown as he fled before Police arrived as he was wanted on existing warrants to arrest.

"Follow up enquiries at a home linked to the attackers resulted in the stolen utility the member of the public seen being recovered as well as a number of cannabis plants and several firearms that had been left unsecured.

"One of the attackers was himself injured in the incident and was taken to Waikato Hospital where he required stitches after suffering a serious cut to his arm while smashing a window."

Mr Raffan said while Police in Te Aroha were already following up the incident there, the timely relaying of information by the utility's owner enabled officers in Hamilton to quickly coordinate a District level response.

"Last night's incident highlights the value of timely, accurate information being relayed to Police which enables us to respond in an effective and efficient manner.

"In what initially appeared to be isolated incidents the relaying of the various pieces of information, when pieced together, enabled us to take steps to prevent further people becoming victims either from other assaults or from the risks of associated drug harm."

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