15 January 2008
Charges are likely to be laid against a woman following a hoax report of a man brandishing a firearm in Waihi yesterday that resulted in the deployment of Armed Offender Squad staff from Hamilton and a Police helicopter from Auckland.
The incident began about 10.50am when the woman phoned Police claiming she had heard gunshots near her Galbraith St home.
Waikato District Operations Manager, Inspector John Kelly, said a cordon was established around the property by Waihi staff to secure the area prior to the arrival of the AOS and the Police Eagle Helicopter.
"Initial reports were that the woman had heard children and a woman crying and screaming and a man say he was going to kill someone.
"She further claimed that she heard a man yelling and saw him carrying a shotgun he had retrieved from a bush."
Mr Kelly said a separate report made to the cordon of a shot being fired could not be substantiated.
"The property at the centre of the incident was cleared following the arrival of the AOS and the cordon lifted on surrounding streets about 1pm," said Mr Kelly.
The woman at the centre of the incident is being interviewed by Police today and charges relating to the wasting of Police time are likely.
"Given the seriousness of what was described and the need to ensure the safety of the public significant resources were assigned to deal with this matter and people need to be aware of the ramifications of making such hoax calls," said Mr Kelly.
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