Police have recovered a patrol car that was taken last night while an officer was conducting a traffic stop in Whangamata.
At approximately 11:30pm the passenger of a vehicle which was stopped for speeding has taken the officer's patrol car.
The patrol car was subsequently located by Police at approximately 3.00am in Opoutere. All firearms were still secured in a locked box in the vehicle.
The taking of a Police vehicle is a serious offence, and Police are following lines of enquiry to locate the offender.
This is a rare and isolated incident which Police will be investigating.
Police have nothing further to add at this time.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre