Latest news with #MattSrhoj
RNZ News
22-07-2025
- RNZ News
Northland man charged with injuring police dog, drug-related offences
File image. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller A Northland man has appeared in court charged with injuring a police dog and a raft of drug-related offences. Marshall James Dennis Joyce was arrested after a traffic stop in Whangārei early on Sunday morning escalated into what police described as a violent assault. The 47-year-old Ruakākā man was charged with assaulting police, injuring a police dog, possession for supply of methamphetamine and cannabis, possession of cocaine and LSD, and unlawful possession of ammunition. He was remanded in custody after Monday's appearance in the Whangārei District Court. He is due back for a list hearing by audio-visual link on 13 August. Police said the dog suffered an eye injury and underwent urgent veterinary treatment. Its current condition is not known. Earlier, Northland's top cop, Superintendent Matt Srhoj, said a police dog handler stopped a car on Kahiwi Street, in the suburb of Raumanga, just before 4.30am on 20 July. The dog handler spotted drug paraphernalia inside the car but the driver became aggressive before a search could be carried out. Srhoj said extra officers were sent to the scene as his aggression escalated, with pepper spray, a taser and the police dog all deployed. As well as methamphetamine, LSD tabs, cannabis and cocaine, police seized more than $5000 in cash. Srhoj said it was fortunate the police officer was not seriously injured, but the dog suffered a scratch to one eye and required urgent treatment. The 47-year-old man sustained minor injuries and was taken to Whangārei Hospital. Srhoj praised the officers who rushed to the scene to support their colleague. "We have no tolerance for unprovoked violence, especially directed to our staff who are just doing their jobs," he said.
RNZ News
17-07-2025
- RNZ News
Gang tangi leads police to one arrest for guns, cannabis in Kaitaia
Police in Northland set up road checks targeting drivers heading to a gang tangi. Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER Reports of bad driving behaviour including a gun being shot from a car in Northland prompted police to set up road checkpoints after a tangi earlier this week. Northland District Commander Superintendent Matt Srhoj said police received reports of poor driver behaviour and a firearm being discharged from a vehicle on Saturday night, though he stressed it was not aimed at anyone. In response police set up an operation around Kaitaia as gang members travelled to the tangi on Tuesday at a marae near Awanui. "Numerous road policing checkpoints were carried out following the tangi on Tuesday, in which several vehicles of interest attempted to pass through," Srhoj said. "These were vehicles we were seeking in connection with the offending detected on Saturday night." Three vehicles were impounded, and search warrants were then executed including at a local address where police claim three rifles, a shotgun and a semi-automatic rifle were found. A 34-year-old Kaitaia man faced five charges of unlawful possession of a firearm, two counts of unlawful possession of ammunition, and possession for supply of cannabis. He had already appeared in the Kaitaia District Court and was remanded in custody. Srhoj said there were no significant concerns surrounding the tangi but police enquiries would continue into the events of Saturday night. "There is a way to respectfully grieve the loss of someone, and that does not include putting the wider public's safety at risk," Srhoj said. "I would like to acknowledge our Far North team who have been visible and well-planned throughout. "We have had a range of staff involved from our public safety team, road policing, investigations as well as the Gang Disruption Unit." The tangi was for patched Crips member Ngaiwa Miru, who police earlier said was a passenger in a car that crashed on Allen Bell Drive in Kaitaia on Friday.
