Six Mongrel Mob members and associates are before the courts after a brawl in Palmerston North in August.
Police were called to Main Street after receiving multiple reports of a mass brawl at a hotel around midnight on August 8.
Earlier that evening, an R18 event was held at the premises and was attended by a large number of Mongrel Mob members and associates from areas nearby including Palmerston North and Hawke’s Bay.
Acting Detective Sergeant Richard How said police believed a disagreement over missing property between a member of the public and a gang member occurred.
“This altercation shortly escalated to another gang member assaulting the member of the public, initiating a mass brawl,” he said.
A number of Mongrel Mob members were involved in assaulting members of the public, and in some instances, bottles, bar stools, and other weapons of opportunity are believed to have been used, police allege.
Multiple people received minor injuries and received medical attention at the scene, then later at Palmerston North Hospital.
Following the brawl, and other serious gang related incidents, a gang conflict warrant was issued in the Manawatū area.
The warrant broadened police’s power, giving them special powers to search vehicles and occupants of vehicles of suspected gang members, and seize firearms, weapons, and vehicles.
As a result of the investigation, a number of searches took place, resulting in the arrest of seven Mongrel Mob members.
A 37-year-old man is due to appear in Palmerston North District Court on October 9, facing charges of common assault, male assaults female, and assault with intent to injure.
A 37-year-old Napier man appeared in Napier District Court on September 24 and pled guilty to two counts of common assault.
A 43-year-old Palmerston North man appeared in Palmerston North District Court on September 23 on a charge of common assault.
A 38-year-old Palmerston North man appeared in Palmerston North District Court on September 17 charged with common assault, assault with intent to injure, and two counts of male assaults female.
A 31-year-old and 26-year-old appeared in Palmerston North District Court on September 23 on a charged of common assault and assaulting a person with a blunt instrument.
A 27-year-old man was warned over possession of an offensive weapon.
How said this violence stemmed from people not being able to accept no as an answer.
“Clearly the use of violence by these gang members to get their own way is not going to be tolerated.
“While the investigation into the brawl continues, police cannot rule out further arrests or charges,” he said.
