Police crackdown on gangs: Arrestees appear in court

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Three of four men arrested last Friday in relation to the ongoing gang conflict in Tairāwhiti have appeared in court so can now be identified.

They are Te Maori Meretania, 31; Emilio David Jr Williams, 26, and Dorian Reedy, 24.

Each of them appeared for bail hearings in Gisborne District Court yesterday but two of the men’s applications couldn't proceed as they were yet to secure suitable bail addresses.

Meretania’s application went ahead but Judge Warren Cathcart refused to grant it and remanded him further in custody without plea. His case will be called next at a registrar’s list on November 8.

Meretania faces two charges arising from his arrest on Friday: being unlawfully in possession of a Winchester .303 rifle and one of unlawfully possessing ammunition — seven rounds for that rifle and five live rounds for a .303 rifle.

Police claim to have found the items in Meretania’s bedroom at a Rimu Street house, where he was on bail for earlier charges arising from an alleged incident on September 7, this year, and for which he is jointly charged with two co-offenders. Those charges are unlawful possession of a pistol — a cut-down .22 calibre firearm and possession of an offensive weapon — a tomahawk.

The .303 ammunition found in his possession on Friday is the same calibre as a rifle that was allegedly used in a shooting further along Rimu Street on Friday, October 13.

Police say the incident involved Mongrel Mob and Black Power members, with each side having firearms. A Mongrel Mob man was hospitalised with a gunshot wound to his leg following that incident but has since been discharged.

Williams currently faces 11 active charges with one said to have been related to the ongoing gang conflict — a charge of intentionally damaging a window in a Kainga Ora property at 13B Patrick Street on October 24. He was further remanded in custody without plea by consent but with leave to bring on a bail application when a suitable address becomes available.

His case will be called next at  a registrar’s list on November 13.

Reedy was further remanded in custody by consent for a bail application today.

He faces charges of robbing a man of a silver Subaru Legacy vehicle on October 24; dangerous driving and failing to remain stopped for an enforcement officer on October 17; and discharging a firearm with intent to intimidate two people on October 13. One of the complainants in the firearms charge is the alleged later robbery victim.