Key Takeaways
- A 14-year-old boy and a 17-year-old have been arrested in connection with a recent rise in youth crime in Christchurch, including an aggravated robbery at Opawa Discounter dairy.
- The owner of the dairy, Kamlesh Patel, was left with serious injuries after being stabbed during the robbery.
- Police are launching a two-month operation to tackle the rise in youth crime, which will include the use of the Eagle helicopter and an increased presence of the youth targeting team.
- The community is being asked to come forward with any information about the recent incidents, including sightings of a silver Toyota MarkX with the registration number NRP221.
- The Patel family has been left shaken and frustrated by the attack, with Kamlesh Patel facing a long road to recovery.
Introduction to the Incident
The city of Christchurch has been plagued by a recent rise in youth crime, with a particularly disturbing incident occurring at Opawa Discounter dairy. The owner of the dairy, Kamlesh Patel, was left with serious injuries after being stabbed during an aggravated robbery. The incident occurred in the early morning hours, with three people entering the store and fleeing with a till and other items. The offenders made their getaway in a car, leaving Patel to seek medical attention. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with many calling for increased action to be taken to address the rising tide of youth crime.
Arrests and Charges
In response to the incident, police have made two arrests, including a 14-year-old boy and a 17-year-old. The 17-year-old was located in New Brighton and is set to appear before the Youth Court on a number of charges, including burglary, aggravated robbery, and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The arrests are a significant development in the case, and police are hopeful that they will be able to bring those responsible for the crime to justice. The use of the Eagle helicopter and an increased presence of the youth targeting team are also expected to play a key role in addressing the rise in youth crime.
Police Response
The police response to the incident has been swift and decisive, with Canterbury District Commander Superintendent Tony Hill announcing a two-month operation to tackle the rise in youth crime. The operation will include the use of the Eagle helicopter, which will be temporarily deployed to Christchurch. Hill stated that the operation is aimed at disrupting offending patterns, holding offenders to account, and deterring further offending. The police are also boosting the ‘youth targeting team’ with extra staff, in an effort to provide a more visible presence on the streets and to engage with young people who may be at risk of becoming involved in crime.
Community Reaction
The incident has had a significant impact on the community, with many expressing outrage and frustration at the level of violence involved. Kamlesh Patel’s daughter, Nidhi Patel, took to social media to express her shock and heartbreak at the attack on her father. She described her father as a hardworking and dedicated member of the community, who pours his heart into supporting his customers and loves what he does. The Patel family has been left shaken and frustrated by the attack, with Kamlesh Patel facing a long road to recovery. The community is being asked to come forward with any information about the recent incidents, including sightings of a silver Toyota MarkX with the registration number NRP221.
Call for Public Help
Police are urging the public to come forward with any information that may be relevant to the investigation. Superintendent Hill called for public help to find people involved in the dairy robbery and any sightings of the silver Toyota MarkX. The police are also asking anyone who may have seen the vehicle in the Opawa or surrounding areas to please contact them immediately. The public’s help is crucial in bringing those responsible for the crime to justice and in preventing further incidents from occurring. By working together, the police and the community can help to create a safer and more secure environment for everyone.
Conclusion
The incident at Opawa Discounter dairy is a disturbing reminder of the need for increased action to be taken to address the rise in youth crime. The police response to the incident has been swift and decisive, with a two-month operation being launched to tackle the problem. The community is being asked to come forward with any information that may be relevant to the investigation, and the public’s help is crucial in bringing those responsible for the crime to justice. By working together, we can help to create a safer and more secure environment for everyone, and ensure that incidents like this do not happen again in the future.
