Police didn't find a man running around with a gun when they were called to a rural road near Kerikeri — but they did find an indoor cannabis growing operation. The incident unfolded on Furness Rd, off Inlet Rd, about 10.30am yesterday. Six patrol cars descended on the area with police setting up a safe point on Inlet Rd.
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Inspector Chris McLellan said a member of the public reported a man walking around a property with a firearm but when police arrived it became clear the allegation was untrue.
However, a search of a property on the road uncovered an air rifle and an indoor cannabis growing operation with 16 plants of various sizes. Police issued a 54-year-old man with a pre-charge warning for making a false complaint, while a 29-year-old man was arrested in relation to the cannabis operation. Police also seized the rifle as a precaution.
Crash victims named
The three women killed in a crash State Highway 1 near Towai have been named by police. Northland Road Policing manager Inspector Steve Dickson said they were Sandra Lorraine Burwood, 66, of Whangārei, Karen Alison Horscroft, 63, of Whangārei and Denise Beverly Scott, 57, of Auckland. "One death on our roads is too many and to lose three lives in one single incident is a tragedy. Our thoughts are with friends and whānau of those who have lost their lives," Dickson said. The Serious Crash Unit investigation into the crash is still ongoing and police are unable to comment further. The deaths would ultimately be referred to the Coroner.
