Organised crime in Ohakune?

Ruapehu Bulletin, 1 December 1992, Page 1

Organised crime in Ohakune?

At this month's District Court sitting Judge Watson asked the question: "Is there organised crime in Ohakune?" Before him were two burglary cases in which the offenders had been able to dispose of stolen property within hours between the theft being carried out and the police executing a search warrant. He also referred to other recent cases that had come before him in which considerable quantities of property, including some commercial

items, had disappeared without trace within a few hours. Most of the burglaries had been carried out by young people which prompted Judge Watson to wonder if they were being manipulated by others who might have access to a wider distribution network ... some of the items would have been difficult to sell or give away locally without attracting the attention of police. Police would often follow up reports of a burglary promptly, locate

and arrest the offenders, but find no trace of the stolen items. Judge Watson asked Ohakune police sergeant Bob Evans if there was any evidence of organised crime... "is someone older and wiser manoeuvring these young people into carrying out these burglaries?" Sergeant Evans replied that while he had no direct evidence that such a network existed he was inclined to believe there was a possibility. "It is of concern to us but, so far, we have not

been able to substantiate young people in this it," he said. community, particularly ' Judge Watson said that if ^ey are being encourhis real concern is about aged to commit these ofwhat is happening to the fences by others .