Northland news in brief: Missing brothers found

The police ute that Far North man Murray Andrew Thomas is accused of ramming while trying to flee officers in January.

Driver remanded in custody

A 45-year-old Kenana man who was allegedly behind the wheel of a Toyota Hilux ute that left a trail of damaged vehicles, including a police 4WD, when he burst through an attempted police stop at Lake Ohia on January 25 was further remanded in custody.

Murray Andrew Thomas admitted one charge of failing to stop but denied six counts of assault with a weapon (his car), and one apiece of possessing an offensive weapon (a knife), reckless driving causing injury, failing to ascertain injury and possession of utensils for the consumption of cannabis when he when he appeared before Judge MJ Hunt in the Kaitaia District Court yesterday.

Thomas will next appear in Kaitaia on April 18 for a case review.

Young brothers found safe

Two missing Northland brothers who spent a night away from home returned safe and well yesterday afternoon. Police concerns were growing for the duo, aged 9 and 11, after they argued with their grandparents and left about 8pm on Wednesday. Extensive police enquiries failed to find them yesterday.

Senior Sergeant Cliff Metcalfe said the brothers were spotted in Kawakawa about 2.30pm yesterday by a relative who identified them. They were delivered home but police were only notified of their safe return about 4.15pm. An officer was going to their Karetu home to talk with the boys and their grandmother.

Ute taken at petrol station

A ute allegedly stolen while the owner was inside paying for petrol at a Whangarei service station was then crashed off the road before the driver fled on foot. The theft was reported to police about 2.30pm on Wednesday by a member of the public who then followed the stolen ute and updated officers.

The ute crashed near the bottom of the Tikipunga Hill. The driver was nabbed by police a short distance away. August Lemon, 41, of Waiotira, appeared in the Whangarei District Court yesterday on charges of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, dangerous driving and being forbidden to drive. He was remanded in custody to appear in court again on March 5.

Correction

The number to get paper Census forms is 0800 236787 (0800 CENSUS), not 0800 23677787, as printed in a story in yesterday's Northern Advocate. This year the Census is being done mainly online, but if people want to complete paper Census forms they should ring 0800 236787 (0800 CENSUS) to have a form sent to them.

There will be no issues if they paper forms are completed and sent back after Census Day next Tuesday. As of yesterday more than 500,000 people had filled out the Census online.