Sergeant Rob Irvine:

Cheviot Police have arrested and charged two people following an illegal hunting incident which saw a firearm discharged within 40 metres of a house.

Police were notified of shots being fired from the road near a home in rural Cheviot in the early hours of 29 March. The incident woke the occupants of the house and was understandably distressing for them.

Enquiries via CCTV identified potential offenders and a search warrant was executed at a local property, where six rifles and 163 rounds of ammunition were seized.

A 19-year-old man has been arrested and charged with three counts of unlawful possession of firearms, unlawful possession of ammunition and discharging a firearm near a dwelling. An 18-year-old man has been charged with three counts of unlawful possession of firearms.

The 19-year old is due to appear on 29 April and the 18-year old is due to appear 16 May. Both will appear at the Christchurch District Court.

The rural community, farmers and landowners are concerned by the amount of poaching during this Roar period and are actively working with Police to report any illegal activity or suspicious behaviour.

We have heard our community who tell us they are frustrated by this type of behaviour, and we will not tolerate it.

Suspicious or illegal activity should be reported to 111 if it’s happening now. If it’s after the fact, make a report online at www.police.govt.nz/use-105 [1] or call 105.

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