Canterbury district news

Police acknowledge sentencing in relation to the death of Yanfei Bao

fljpp1 — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 04:33:44 +0000

Location:

Canterbury

Attributable to Detective Inspector Nicola Reeves,

Police acknowledge the sentence handed down to Tingjun Cao today in the Christchurch High Court.

Mr Cao was sentenced to life imprisonment with 17 and a half years non-parole for the murder of Yanfei Bao.

A dedicated investigation team, supported by our forensic specialist partners, has worked tirelessly since July 2023 to tell Yanfei’s story and seek a resolution for her and her loved ones. I speak on behalf of all the staff involved when I say this case will stay with us forever.

Christchurch man arrested after evading police for months

nlnqs3 — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 01:47:14 +0000

Location:

Canterbury

Attributable to Senior Sergeant Steph McDaniel:

Police have arrested a 44-year-old Christchurch man who has evaded Police since August last year.

The man, a known gang associate, had made significant efforts to avoid arrest, including breaching his conditions, failing to appear in court and frequently changing vehicles and addresses.

Following an extensive investigation into his whereabouts, Police launched a targeted operation involving the newly formed Gang Disruption Unit, the Offender Prevention Team, and the Canterbury Rural Tactical Crime Unit.

Fatal crash: Bowicks Road, Cust.

DRZ667 — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 05:54:46 +0000

Location:

Canterbury

A person has died after a vehicle rolled on Bowicks Road, Cust this afternoon.

Emergency services were called to the crash at about 1.25pm.

The person sadly died at the scene.

The Serious Crash Unit has conducted a scene examination.

Police would like to thank the emergency response teams who assisted at the scene.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Christchurch Police renew call for help in search for Elisabeth Nicholls

jtenk9 — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 02:56:44 +0000

Location:

Canterbury

Attribute to Detective Sergeant Lucy Aldridge of Christchurch Police:

Today marks a week since Elisabeth “Lis” Nicholls was last seen, and we are making a further appeal to the people of Christchurch for help.

Lis is 79 and has dementia and the last confirmed sighting of her was at the Chateau on the Park in Riccarton, at 7.54pm on Wednesday 4 June.

Searchers and Police have gone door to door, reviewed CCTV footage and made extensive enquiries, but we have not been able to find Lis.

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Media advisory: Search for missing Christchurch woman

jtenk9 — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 01:18:08 +0000

Location:

Canterbury

Media are advised that Police will hold a stand-up this afternoon regarding the ongoing search for missing Christchurch woman Elisabeth Nicholls.

Detective Sergeant Lucy Aldridge will speak to media at 2.30pm in central Christchurch.

We ask those media interested in attending to RSVP to media@police.govt.nz. Further details will be provided to registered media.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Appeal for information: Aggravated robbery Oxford Terrace

CCNRS7 — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 02:53:48 +0000

Location:

Canterbury

Police are asking for the public’s help after an aggravated robbery on Wednesday 4 June.

Police were called to the Oxford Terrace store about 8pm on Wednesday, after three males entered the premises and threatened a worker.

The offenders then fled in a vehicle, after stealing a number of items.

Thankfully the worker was not physically injured.

The vehicle used was a Black Mitsubishi Colt, registration KCB102, and was reported stolen prior to this incident.

Police are requesting the public's help to identify the individuals pictured.

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Man arrested following building site burglaries

DRZ667 — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 04:35:54 +0000

Location:

Canterbury

A 42-year-old man has been arrested and charged following an investigation into a series of burglaries across North Canterbury and Selwyn.

On Monday 9 June, three search warrants were executed, two at residential addresses and one at a storage unit.

CCTV supplied by the public and from building sites helped identify the person of interest; acknowledged by Police as being crucial in bringing this investigation to a successful conclusion.

Burglaries at building sites cause significant disruption and financial loss to builders, contractors, and future homeowners.

Two before the courts after separate offences

fljpp1 — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 01:46:20 +0000

Location:

Canterbury

Attributable to Senior Sergeant Stephen McDaniel, Waimakariri/Hurunui Response Manager,

Two people are before the courts following two separate incidents in the Rural Canterbury area.

On Tuesday 27 May, Police were alerted to a report of a burglary on Southbrook Road, where a residential property's front gates had been taken during the day in front of peak traffic.

After following lines of enquiry, including CCTV footage, Police identified the alleged offender.

Name release, water incident, Boyle River

fljpp1 — Sun, 08 Jun 2025 23:03:00 +0000

Location:

Canterbury

Police can now name the man who died following a water incident in the Boyle River on Thursday 5 June.

He was Phelan McDade, 25, from Napier.

Police extends our condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.

Enquiries into the matter are ongoing and the death will be referred to the Coroner.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Update: Police still appealing for sightings of Elisabeth

ebld47 — Sat, 07 Jun 2025 01:53:49 +0000

Location:

Canterbury

The search for missing 79-year-old Elisabeth has resumed in Christchurch, after poor weather conditions paused search activity.

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