'Crime spree' duo appear in court

Two men accused of going on a Wairarapa "crime spree" have appeared in a Masterton court. File photo / NZ Herald

Two men accused of burning a stolen car after a Wairarapa "crime spree" have appeared in court.

Tyler Reid Hodson, 17, and Andrew Morrell, 18, appeared at Masterton District Court today jointly charged with stealing a car, two charges of burglary, and one of arson of the vehicle.

Hodson was remanded in custody until Monday by Justice of the Peace David Baker. Morrell was remanded on strict bail conditions until September 28.

Dressed in blue police overalls, neither man entered a plea.

The charges relate to what police have described as a "crime spree" on Monday night, when the two men are accused of stealing the car from Southey Honda in Masterton.

The pair then allegedly stole alcohol from Liquor King on Queen St before driving to a rural address on Opaki Rd where they allegedly took three firearms and ammunition.

A short time later the stolen car, a Honda CRV, was discovered burning behind an industrial building on Akura Rd.

The men were arrested in two raids by police and members of the Armed Offenders Squad early on Tuesday morning, with a further search leading police to the firearms and other stolen items.

Acting for Morrell, lawyer Jock Blathwayt said his client would be denying his involvement in the alleged incidents.

Detective Senior Sergeant Sean Hansen of Wairarapa CIB said police were still interested in hearing from members of the public who may have seen the Honda CRV.

"There's at least a 15-minute window in between when that vehicle was allegedly stolen from Southey Honda and when it turned up at Liquor King.

"We want to hear from anyone who saw that vehicle - we believe there were up to four people in it at the time."

He said enquiries were continuing into a second suspicious fire on Essex St late on Monday night.