Name suppression
A Whangarei man charged with murdering Moses Mahanga was granted interim name suppression when he appeared in Manukau District Court. The 26-year-old was remanded in custody until November 24 when he will appear in the High Court at Whangarei. Mr Mahanga was found dead in a vehicle in Otangarei, Whangarei on October 4. A post-mortem examination found the 25-year-old died as a result of a gunshot wound.
Tide blocks highway
High tide blocked one lane of State Highway 1 just south of Kaeo yesterday morning. Water spilled across the southbound lane of SH1 about 5km north of Kaeo around 11am. The blocked lane cleared after the tide receded about 1pm.
Sightings of car
A 32-year-old Kaitaia man is facing charges in relation to allegedly driving a stolen vehicle in a police pursuit in Whangarei. The man allegedly failed to stop for police on Dent St about 7.30am yesterday and headed towards Onerahi. Officers abandoned the pursuit on Riverside Dr. A black Subaru Forester registration EFF677 was found abandoned on Shortland St minus the driver and police recovered items of interest. The man was arrested about 2pm and will appear in Whangarei District Court today on charges of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, failing to stop, resisting and assaulting police. Police are appealing for public help for previous sightings of the stolen car.
Kidnap charges
Dean Stephen Yates, 41, appeared in Kaitaia District Court on Tuesday via audio visual link from prison. Yates is facing two counts of kidnapping and others of sexual violation, attempting to commit sexual violation, indecently assaulting a boy aged over 16, wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, threatening to kill, injuring with intent to injure and obstructing/perverting the course of justice. He was remanded in custody until January 24, next year, for call over.