Charge laid as investigation into threatening email continues

A person has been charged as an investigation continues into a threatening email directed at two Auckland schools on Wednesday, Counties Manukau Police say.

Enquiries by police into the origin of the email led investigators to a Māngere East address yesterday Thursday.

Acting Counties Manukau District Commander, inspector Alison Brand, says police executed a search warrant where a man and woman were taken into custody without incident.

“Investigation staff have been speaking with both of these individuals throughout the day,” Brand says.

Police have charged a 20-year-old man with a firearms offence.

It relates to a firearm located at a different property, they say.

The man is expected to appear at the Manukau District Court today Friday, charged with unlawful possession of a firearm.

Brand says there are further charges likely to be laid following Thursday’s search warrant.

“This is still very much an active investigation, and we’re limited in further comment at this stage.”

Police say they worked quickly to deploy on Wednesday morning and provide reassurance to both Waiuku College, and Rutherford College in west Auckland.

“I acknowledge the impact these events have on parents and the wider school community,” Brand says.

“Any threatening message directed towards our educational institutions is taken seriously and police have worked diligently to get to the source of this email.”