LandSAR suffers theft
A volunteer group which rescues people lost or injured in the Far North bush suffered a setback on Sunday when some of its gear was stolen. Far North LandSAR (Search and Rescue) was training on Taratara, a rock outcrop northwest of Kaeo, on Sunday when one of the volunteer's vehicles was broken into.
The car was one of five parked on Otangaroa Rd when a rear window was smashed and two daypacks containing quality tramping gear were taken. LandSAR member Grant Adams said the stolen items include a distinctive LandSAR raincoat with the group's logo on it. The theft had been reported to the police.
"We work really hard to fundraise for our gear and this is a real blow," he said. Call Kerikeri police on (09) 407 9211 with any information. The group was training on Taratara because they had recently rescued someone from the top of the rock.
BNZ back community
BNZ staff will work on several Closed for Good projects in Whangarei tomorrow. They will create an outdoor learning environment at Hurupaki School and doing cleaning and repairs at Whangarei Croquet Club. More than 3000 staff will be involved nationwide working on more than 550 projects.
Natural death
Police have confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances around the death of a 49-year-old Whangarei woman found dead in her flat.
The case involving Carolyn Patricia Henry, also known as Carolyn McKinlay, has been referred to the coroner. She was found on August 11 after a pharmacy contacted officials after her prescription wasn't collected.
It is unclear how long Ms Henry had been dead for in her flat at the Fountain Lodge Apartments in Tarewa Rd. Police had said they found a women's body in advanced stages of decomposition.
Inquiry into girl's seizure
Police are unsure what caused a 13-year-old girl to collapse with a seizure in Kaikohe last week. The girl required urgent medical attention after a seizure last Thursday but was taken home to recover.
There was some thought it may have been linked to the girl smoking synthetic cannabis. A police spokesman said yesterday it was still unclear what the girl had taken and a constable was working with the school she attended in attempt to clarify what had happened.
Police seek trio over robbery
Kaitaia police believe they have identified three people involved in the robbery of a superette and were yesterday trying to track them down.
On Saturday about 4.45pm police say three men wearing disguises went into Price Cutter on Commerce St in Kaitaia armed with weapons including a knife and a screwdriver.
They demanded money and cigarettes and left with an undisclosed amount of cash. Officers in Whangarei are still investigating the armed robberies of two liquor outlets.
Cactus Liquor on Manse St and Kamo Super Liquor on Three Mile Bush Rd were also targeted on Saturday and cash taken by weapon-wielding thieves. Anyone with information can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Man queried over girl's injury
Police were interviewing a 38-year-old man yesterday in relation to serious injuries suffered by a 6-year-old girl at a home in Kawakawa on Friday night. The man had left the address when police arrived. The child was taken to hospital with injuries understood to include broken leg bones.