Please attribute to Detective Sergeant Darren Thomas:
Police have arrested a man in relation to a gun being fired during a gang funeral procession in Whakatane on January 17th 2017.
The 28-year-old man is facing multiple firearms related charges, as well as charges of participating in an organised criminal gang and rioting. He is set to appear in Whakatane District Court on September 6th.
We would like to thank members of the Whakatane community who have come forward with information and helped us to locate this man, who has been actively avoiding Police since January.
We are still investigating the events of that day and are keen to hear from anyone who may have information.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us, even if you consider your information to be small or unimportant, it may be crucial to our investigation.
People can contact Whakatane Police on 07 308 5255. Alternatively, if people wish to remain anonymous they can contact Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
As the matter is now before the courts, Police cannot comment further.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre