A man was arrested in Waikato overnight after crashing a car allegedly stolen at gunpoint earlier in the day, barricading himself in the vehicle with two handguns.
The incident unfolded at around 11.40pm in Auckland when a vehicle that had been stolen in an alleged carjacking at gunpoint was spotted on Dominion Road.
The vehicle was followed by the eagle helicopter as it merged onto the motorway at Newmarket, travelling towards East Tāmaki.
It took off “at speed” when officers tried to stop while leaving the motorway onto East Tāmaki Road.
“The driver was seen driving in a dangerous manner through South Auckland, turning off its lights and reaching high speeds on residential streets,” Inspector Grant Tetzlaff said.
The vehicle hopped back on the motorway at SH20 and continued heading south towards Te Kauwhata.
“Police units were able to spike the vehicle, and it continued for a short distance before losing control and crashing into wire median dividers,” Tetzlaff said.
He said the vehicle’s occupant “barricaded” himself inside the vehicle, and officers spotted “live ammunition on his lap”.
The man was tasered and pulled from the vehicle, receiving injuries from a dog bite during the arrest.
He was taken into custody and transported to Waikato Hospital in a moderate condition.
“A search of the vehicle located two handguns and a large amount of live ammunition,” Tetzlaff said.
“It is pleasing that these firearms are now out of circulation in our community.”
A 30-year-old man was charged with failing to stop, reckless driving, receiving, possession of firearms, and resisting arrest.
“Police are continuing to make enquiries into the initial stolen vehicle report, and we cannot rule out further charges in that matter,” Tetzlaff said.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority was notified of the incident, “as standard procedure”.
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