Man charged, ‘freshly painted’ ute found after Waikato boy racer police ramming incident

Monday, 19 August 2024

A ute appears to reverse at full speed into a police car, as officers jump out of the way, in a video uploaded to social media

Police investigating a street racing meet where patrol cars were rammed - narrowly missing officers - have made an arrest.

An 18-year-old Ōtorohanga man was charged on Monday in relation to one of four ramming incidents at the unruly gathering north of Hamilton overnight on Saturday night a statement said.

Police also recovered a freshly painted black ute believed to be involved, and it’s been seized and taken away for forensic examination. The ute identified on Saturday was white.

Police believe this freshly painted ute, recovered in Huntly, was involved in the ramming of a police vehicle during an unruly street racer gathering in Horotiu, near Hamilton on Saturday night.

Detective Sergeant Matt Lee said the arrest follows search warrants at two Ōtorohanga properties, and enquiries in Huntly, where the vehicle was located.

The 18-year-old Ōtorohanga man has been charged with intentional damage causing danger to life, dangerous driving, and receiving stolen property.

He has been bailed to appear in the Hamilton District Court on Friday.

More than 1000 “anti-social road users” caused damage to vehicles, and disrupted the community in Hamilton on Saturday night, Lee said.

Over several hours, the crowds participated in illegal street racing, then “hostile individuals” threw things, set off fireworks and shone lasers at police.

Five vehicles were impounded, and police issued more than 100 infringements, 20 green stickers and eight pink stickers.

There were four incidents in which police vehicles were rammed, Lee said,and the teenager’s charges relate to one.

In this incident, a police officer was knocked to the ground and received minor injuries.

A police vehicle is allegedly rammed by a reversing ute at a car meet up in Hamilton

An earlier release said a white ute reversed at speed towards police officers, before striking a police vehicle.

The impact of the ramming was such that any officers caught between the two vehicles would have been critically injured.

The white ute was believed to be used in the ramming.

Police said videos of the event assisted the arrest.

The initial appeal also included CCTV of two people with a white ute, before the incident, but police confirmed they were not involved in the ramming.

“We have also established that the ute was stolen in July and is currently bearing false licence plates.”

Lee said they will be “making every effort to hold people to account for their dangerous and violent actions.”

Police want to hear from anyone who can help their investigation. If you can help, please contact Police via 105 and quote file number 240818/1998.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.