Convicted criminal arrested at Auckland International Airport

Friday, 23 August 2013 - 3:56pm

National News

New Zealand Police have thanked Botswana authorities following the arrest of Christopher Ian Crause at Auckland International Airport this morning.

Three Botswana Police officers escorted Crause back to New Zealand after the 48 year old was detained for entering Botswana on a fraudulent passport.

In March 2012 Crause was found guilty in the Hamilton District Court of four counts of sexual connection with a minor, four counts of indecent acts with a minor and two charges of supplying cannabis to a person under 18.

Detective Senior Sergeant Steven Dunn from New Zealand Police Interpol Wellington said following his conviction Crause was granted bail and left New Zealand on a fraudulently obtained passport while awaiting sentencing.

“Our initial enquiries suggested Mr Crause had travelled to South Africa via Australia” Mr Dunn said.

“An Interpol Blue Notice was circulated by Interpol Wellington to alert other member countries and request their assistance in locating Mr Crause. In July we were contacted by the Botswana authorities.”

It was established that Crause had contravened Botswana immigration legislation when he illegally entered the country which enabled his removal back to New Zealand under Botswana law.

“This is a very good example of New Zealand’s government agencies working together to overcome problems,” Mr Dunn said.

“Our High Commission in Pretoria coordinated the liaison with the Botswana Authorities and it involved significant input from Interpol Wellington, Immigration New Zealand and the Department of Internal Affairs to bring this to a conclusion. Mr Crause was detained overseas without any legal travel documents making it impossible for him to travel internationally and transit through third countries”

Christopher Ian Crause and his escort arrived on a flight from Hong Kong at 11.30 this morning. Mr Crause was immediately arrested by the New Zealand Police and will be remanded in custody for sentencing.

“At Interpol we work very closely with law enforcement agencies around the world,” Mr Dunn said.

“The professionalism displayed by our colleagues in Botswana in locating, detaining and removing Mr Crause back to New Zealand is commendable”

“This case further demonstrates the value of Interpol membership in enabling member countries to protect their borders and ensuring that fugitives can be brought to justice.”

New Zealand has been a member of Interpol since 1955. Interpol currently has 190 member countries.

ENDS

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