OPERATION FALLS MEDIA RELEASE 5 22 NOVEMBER 2006

New Zealand Police National News Release
9:01am 22 November 2006
http://www.police.govt.nz/news/release.html?id=2744

Over the past day there has been significant progress in this investigation.

Two men will appear on Wednesday 22nd November in the Kaikohe District Court on charges initially including aggravated robbery, kidnapping, abduction and serious sexual assault in relation to the attack on the young Dutch tourist couple on Friday 10 November at Haruru Falls.

The offenders, aged 27 and 29 years, were arrested at separate Mid North locations on Tuesday 21st November, following 11 days of detailed investigation by a dedicated team of 30 police staff. The offenders are described as transient with no fixed place of abode. It is confirmed they have connections in the Mid North area that have provided them with a strong degree of local knowledge and contact.

Detective Inspector Mike Pannett says offending of this grievous nature against tourists is extremely rare in Northland. He reinforces that the Northland community must maintain a zero tolerance of crimes against visitors to our area and that any such offending should be treated extremely seriously.

Police would like to thank the local community in the Bay of Islands for its assistance in providing information that helped resolve the crime. During this inquiry Police have received literally hundreds of phone calls from across New Zealand, firstly offering support to the victims and providing information that has allowed Police to resolve this case.

The victims in this matter remain in the care of Victim Support.

The couple have been advised of the apprehension of these offenders. They are relieved that the offenders have been caught and state they still need time to recover and get over this terrible experience. They add, with the help of "Kiwis" they aim to replace the bad memories with good ones. They have again stressed that they request their privacy be respected.

ENDS

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