A man has been taken into custody after allegedly shooting at police officers and holding victims hostage for “several hours” in an Eastern Bay of Plenty standoff last night.
Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Wilson said police officers were acting on suspicions when they approached a vehicle on State Highway 30 — where upon a sole occupant “discharged a firearm.”
“Moments later, the weapon was presented to both officers, although thankfully neither was injured,” he said.
Officers withdrew to a safe location as the suspect allegedly took a vehicle from nearby a residential property and drove off.
Wilson said the police eagle helicopter was deployed from Auckland to assist units on the ground and a cordon was set up to prevent the suspect from leaving the area.
“In an attempt to avoid police, the stolen vehicle drove into a Hydro Road property, where two occupants at the address were allegedly verbally threatened and held hostage.
“The suspect entered another building on the property where a third victim, in their seventies, was allegedly assaulted and held hostage for more than two hours.”
About midnight, police extracted two victims from the main house while the Police Negotiation Team engaged with the suspect, who remained in the other building.
About 12.30am, he surrendered and was taken into custody without incident while the injured victim was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
A 31-year-old Kawerau man was due to appear in the Whakatāne District Court today.
He faced charges relating to using a firearm against law enforcement, kidnapping, wounding with intent to injure, aggravated burglary, failing to stop, threatening to kill, unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, and wilful damage.
‘A dangerous and unpredictable incident’
Wilson said police were ensuring the three victims and officers involved had the support they needed following the “dangerous and unpredictable incident.”
“Three victims have been through a distressing order in their own home, a place where they should feel safe, and two police officers have faced a totally unacceptable threat while going about their duty.
“Events like this are distressing for our communities; there will be an increased presence in the area and officers will be carrying reassurance patrols.”
Scene examinations would continue along State Highway 30 and Hydro Road today, with police thanking the public for their understanding while work continued.
