A 13-year-old was among three teenage drivers stopped by Cook Islands Police over the ANZAC long weekend, as officers carried out road checks and responded to several incidents across Rarotonga.

In a statement, Police said they arrested one driver for being over the alcohol limit and stopped a number of vehicles on Friday, leading to the confiscation of car keys from three teenagers.

“One young driver was only 13,” Police said.

The other two teenagers, aged 15 and 16, were found driving without a driver’s license, a warrant of fitness, an annual license, and mirrors.

Police also issued a warning to another driver who had been drinking but was not over the limit.

Road crashes were minimal over the long weekend, with two incidents reported. One crash occurred on Friday when a vehicle left the road at Kiikii and went into hedging.

Police said alcohol was not a factor, and the driver was believed to have fallen asleep at the wheel.

The second crash involved two motorbikes early Sunday morning, with one rider fleeing the scene before police arrived.

Meanwhile, Police received three complaints of wilful damage to vehicles on Sunday. Two cars had their windows smashed in separate incidents at Tupapa and Nikao, and a third vehicle, also at Tupapa, was dented.

Police also reported a theft at the Social Centre on Friday morning, after cash was stolen from a parked car.

A weekend prior to last weekend, which was another but longer weekend, a spate of crashes, a brazen break-in at the Cook Islands Library and Museum, and growing domestic violence callouts have sparked concern for public safety and strained police resources over the weekend.

Five crashes, several domestic-related incidents, and a burglary at the Cook Islands Library and Museum were reported between Friday and Sunday, described as a “disappointing” turn of events.

The break-in at the Library was reported on Friday at 9.21am and it was unfortunate that the hard-working staff and volunteers have been subject to yet another burglary and having money stolen, according to police. Police Media