News Briefs: July 4

Driver arrested

A Whangarei man has been arrested and charged with driving under the influence of drugs after police say he failed a roadside impairment test and refused to provide a blood sample. Sergeant John Larkin said the man, aged 31, was stopped in Whangarei at 9.45am on Monday.

It was suspected he was under the influence of some drug and he failed the roadside test. The man was arrested when he refused to provide a blood sample.

Hotel rooms trashed

Police want to speak to guests at a Whangarei hotel who left after apparently smashing up their room and a neighbouring room after a night of drinking. Mr Larkin said the guests at the Grand Hotel on Sunday night retired to their room after drinking.

During the night the guests' room was smashed up and the door into a neighbouring room kicked in and that room also trashed. The guests left before the damage was discovered. Police are looking for a Kaikohe woman who booked the room.