Wednesday, 28 July 2010 - 5:41pm |
National News

Wanted Waikato gang member arrested in Whanganui region

1 min read

A man wanted in connection with a series of alleged violent domestic assaults against his estranged partner in the Waikato over recent weeks was arrested near Marton this afternoon.

The man, who was said to be armed, had been the subject of extensive searching by armed Police around the Waikato, King Country and Whanganui areas over recent days.

Detective Senior Sergeant Karl Thornton of the Hamilton CIB said Waikato detectives, assisted by members of the Whanganui Armed Offenders Squad and Police staff from Marton arrested the 25-year-old patched gang member at a rural property outside the town about 1.30pm.

"He has been charged with assault and is currently being interviewed in relation to a variety of other offences and it is likely additional charges will be laid in relation to the attacks on his victim.

"A 19-year-old woman found at the property with him is also being interviewed in relation to what, if any, assistance she provided to the man while he was on the run and if she enhanced his ability to avoid arrest?"

Mr Thornton said today's arrest was as a result of good team work not just by members of the various Police Districts involved in the searches but with the public as well.

"At this time I'd like to thank the members of the public who throughout this case have provided us with timely, accurate sightings of this man.

"Information from the public went a long way in enabling us to affect this man's arrest without any harm to him, the public or our staff and we are grateful for that."

The man will appear in court tomorrow on a variety of charges in relation to these matters.

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