Pania theft accused in court

Friends and family of the couple accused of stealing Napier's "Pania of the Reef" bronze statue yelled defiant cries of "not guilty" as the pair were escorted into a police van yesterday morning.

Che Tekooti Dion Rogan, 27, and Shiralee Valerie Rogan, 26, both of Napier, have been charged with the October 26 theft of the statue and yesterday were remanded in custody without entering a plea.

They will reappear again tomorrow in the Napier District Court.

Both accused covered their faces with clothing and made obscene gestures to waiting media as they left the court, after appearing before justice of the peace Peter Gibson. Police opposed bail for the pair.

Pania was found in a garden shed at a Napier house on Friday during what police described as a "routine inquiry".

A letter Napier Mayor Barbara Arnott had earlier received claiming to be from those who took the statue, is believed to be unrelated to the recovery of Pania.

The disappearance of Pania left Hawke's Bay residents devastated.

Streams of people visited the empty rock plinth where the statue once sat, leaving behind flowers, notes and cards to "their Pania".

As well as being jointly charged with the theft of the statue, believed to be worth more than $10,000, each of the accused is also charged with possessing cannabis for supply, cultivating cannabis and selling cannabis.

However more arrests may be made. Outside the court, Napier police senior sergeant Mike Wright said while police were confident they had arrested the right people, they believed others were involved in the theft.

Investigations were continuing and police were still searching for a white Subaru Legacy seen near the time the statue was taken.

Mr Wright said the Rogans were "clearly remorseful". Police were likely to continue to oppose bail for the pair.

Family and friends of the accused gathered at court to show their support. One woman broke down in tears and had to be consoled by another supporter, who shouted abuse and threats at the media.

In stark contrast to the outpouring of public grief when Pania was taken, small groups of locals sat quietly outside the courtroom, waiting to see the faces of those allegedly responsible.

Media were barred from entering the court by police at the courtroom doors. The ban was later attributed to a "misunderstanding" between court staff and police.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY