Teen arrested for ram-raid

Whangarei police have arrested a teenager suspected of ram-raiding a Northland service station and taking fishing equipment.

Officers arrested an 18-year-old on Monday and charged him with two burglaries, relating to the ram-raid on Parua Bay Gasoline Alley last month and another burglary of a Pataua North property.

The arrest comes as two others appeared in court for another burglary of the same service station.

A woman has pleaded guilty to breaking into a service station in Whangarei and other dishonesty offences.

Angel Reihana, 19, appeared in the Whangarei District Court yesterday and admitted three charges of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, two of burglary, two of using a bank or credit card fraudulently, and single charges of attempted unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, and theft.

The burglary charges related to the Parua Bay Gasoline Alley, which was broken into on July 6, and the theft related to Reihana stealing a handbag worth $200 on July 2. She was remanded in custody for sentencing on September 16.

Her co-accused, Joseph Toby, also appeared in court yesterday, where he pleaded not guilty to all charges.

They include four of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, three of burglary, one of theft, one of attempted unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, and another of possession of cannabis plant.

Police withdrew two charges of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, two of burglary, and a single charge of attempted unlawful taking of a motor vehicle.

The 19-year-old was also remanded in custody to reappear on September 12.

Meanwhile in Kaitaia, a man who claimed to have been involved in a ram-raid on Kaitaia's Stihl Shop surrendered at the police station last Thursday. He was charged with burglary and released on bail.

Meanwhile, police suspect the burned-out remains of a vehicle found in Gill Rd, Awanui, was the four-wheel drive used to gain entry to the business.