Canterbury quake: Arrests after Kaiapoi 'crime spree'

Civil Defence volunteers and soldiers cleaning up sections and streets in Kaiapoi. Photo / Mark Mitchell

While the best side of the people of Canterbury has been on display in the wake of the earthquake, an exception seek to exploit the natural disaster for their own benefit.

Early this morning Rangiora Police, supported by New Zealand Army staff, arrested seven young offenders who were breaching a cordon in the Kaiapoi suburb of Courtney Downs.

Courtney Downs has been severly affected by the quake and many homes remain unoccupied.

The seven were travelling in a vehicle stolen from the Rangiora area and had been moving around the Rolleston area and the North Canterbury areas of Clarkville, Ohoka and Spencerville.

Police and army personnel spotted the group within the cordon at Kaiapoi around 2am. The group ran through numerous deserted properties trying to elude police and army. Six of the group were caught.

A seventh male youth, who had stolen a bicycle from a garage in Kaiapoi rode to Rangiora and was found later by police.

Army personnel did a mailbox drop in Kaiapoi which gave details of the bike, and a short time later the owner came forward and police were able to return the bike to him.

"These arrests send another clear message to people contemplating illegal activity or behaviour as a result of the Canterbury earthquake - this will not be tolerated by police," said Senior Sergeant Warren Newbury of Rangiora police.

Two males aged 15, one aged 14 and another aged 17 were arrested. One 13-year-old female and a 17-year-old female were also arrested, together with another youth.

Police are still investigating the extent of the activity the group were involved in.

Members of the group were due to appear in the Christchurch Youth Court and the Christchurch District Court today.