Police are seeking the assistance of the public to identify burglars who stole firearms from a Whakatane property and later rammed police vehicles to evade capture.
The victim of the burglary contacted police shortly after 10:30pm on Saturday, 5 April to report suspicious noises coming from a shed on his property in Poroporo. A couple of minutes later the offenders left the property in an SUV vehicle, having stolen a firearms safe containing two firearms and ammunition, along with chainsaws fishing equipment and a lawnmower.
Police located the vehicle close to the Pekatahi Bridge and began to follow it towards Taneatua. At one point the offending vehicle stopped but reversed into the police car before taking off again. The same police car and a second police car were rammed during two further attempts to stop the offenders, causing minor injury to one male officer. At one stage the offenders also threw a chainsaw from their moving vehicle at the police vehicle that was following it. The offenders were last seen heading south on Reid Road.
The vehicle involved in the burglary is a large, older style SUV similar to a Pajero, Bighorn or Prada. It was dark in colour and will have extensive damage to the rear. It's not known at this stage how many offenders were involved, but believed at least two.
Anyone who knows the identity of this vehicle or the offenders, or has any other information which might assist is asked to contact Whakatane Police on 07 308 5255. Information can also be provided anonymously to the organisation Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 027 234 8256.