<\/p>\n
\nThe Commodore had been fitted with red and blue lights in the front grille, like an undercover police car.
\nPhoto: Supplied\/NZ Police\n<\/p>\n
Officers in Northland who pulled over a fake undercover police car – complete with flashing red and blue lights – found a lot more than they bargained for.<\/p>\n
Senior Sergeant Clem Armstrong said the driver caught officers’ attention when he slipped into a police convoy outside Kawakawa Police Station last Thursday evening.<\/p>\n
A quick check of the Commodore, which had police-style red and blue lights concealed in the grille, revealed the registered owner had been disqualified from driving.<\/p>\n
The real police signalled the driver to pull over, arrested him and searched his car.<\/p>\n
“During this search, we located a loaded firearm underneath the driver’s seat as well as a 3D-printed gun, a stash of ammunition and methamphetamine. It was quite the unexpected find,” Armstrong said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\nA loaded handgun was found during a search of the mock police car.
\nPhoto: Supplied\/NZ Police\n<\/p>\n
“Our team is extremely pleased to be able to remove these items from our community and hold this offender to account.”<\/p>\n
Court documents show 30-year-old Aaron Katipa of Pakuranga, Auckland, appeared in the Kaikohe District Court last Friday.<\/p>\n
He was charged with impersonating police, possession of a methamphetamine pipe, possession of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a sawn-off shotgun, unlawful possession of ammunition, unlawful possession of a prohibited firearm magazine, and driving while disqualified.<\/p>\n
Katipa, whose profession is listed as a mechanic, is due back in court for a list hearing on 20 January.<\/p>\n