On Friday September 5, a 34-year-old Cromwell man was arrested in relation to breach of protection order and a trespass incident in Alexandra. 

He appeared in the Alexandra District Court on September 11.

A 20-year-old Alexandra man was summonsed for theft after being apprehended for shoplifting from a local store. He is to appear in the Alexandra Court on October 9.

An 18-year-old Cromwell man was involved in a single vehicle crash, where the vehicle he was driving has left the road and crashed into a commercial building at the intersection of Barry Avenue and McNulty Road. 

Both the vehicle and building sustained moderate damage in the crash. 

He was uninjured, but he returned a breath alcohol level of 1131 mcgs. His legal limit is zero. 

The man’s licence was suspended for 28 days, and he is to appear in the Alexandra District Court on October 9.

Several other drivers were dealt with during the week for drink driving, with a 23-year-old Wānaka man returning a breath reading of 468 mcgs. He will appear in the Queenstown Court on September 22.

Two other local drivers returned breath readings of 388 mcgs and 396 mcgs. Both were dealt with by way of a $200 infringement notice that carries 50 demerits points. The legal limit for a driver over 20 years of age is 250 mcgs and under.

Our stance on safety remains straightforward. Drivers need to be under no illusion that if they are detected driving impaired by alcohol or drugs, they will be held to account for their actions.

Police are concerned with a number of serious crashes that have occurred in the area over recent weeks, with a three-vehicle crash in the Cardrona Valley, and another two-vehicle crash at the SH8 and 8B intersection. 

Both crashes left people with serious injuries and enquiries are ongoing with both cases.

Police are continuing to issue infringement notices throughout the area for speed, unsafe passing manoeuvres, use of cell phones and people not wearing their seat belts.

Police know these factors can lead to fatalities and serious injuries on our roads.

Police are urging drivers to make sure they are well-rested and take regular breaks, not to drive impaired, check their speed, and wear their seatbelts.

Police have also received numerous complaints around vehicles driving around the Alexandra township late at night with their stereos operating loudly, which has been disturbing local residents.

Police will be addressing this anti-social behaviour, and drivers could expect a fine of up to $600, demerit points or both.

If you see unsafe driving behaviour, or someone is in immediate danger, call 111 as soon as possible.

Report non-emergencies or historic matters through 105 or via the Police website.