Pair plead guilty to burglary of restaurant

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Two of a group involved in burglaries at Gisborne’s Portofino Restaurant twice on the same night have each pleaded guilty to charges.

Stormy Francis Gail Aroha Waite, 25, admitted receiving alcohol stolen during the first burglary and being directly involved in the second burglary in September last year.

Karemoana Emilio Haami Hori Tunny Henare, 22, shearer, admitted to a charge of aggravated burglary in relation to the first incident.

Waite also pleaded guilty to the burglary of a Whakatane property.

Henare and Waite were further remanded on electronically-monitored bail for sentence on March 15.

They were jointly charged in relation to the incidents with two others.

Ryland Jackson Franklin, 21, has pleaded not guilty to aggravated burglary, arising out of the first incident.

He is scheduled for a jury trial later this year.

Police say inquiries are ongoing in relation to a fourth co-accused.