Police investigating a pursuit/hostage situation which took place across large parts of Auckland last night are continuing to build a picture of the circumstances of the incident.
Investigations are continuing but at this stage, this is the information available.
At around 12.25am this morning, a Holden Ute was seen in the corner of Lake and Esmonde Roads, Takapuna, doing burnouts and donuts.
A Police unit signalled for the vehicle to pull over, but the driver failed to stop and a pursuit was initiated.
The driver continued to flee and initially headed to Devonport on Lake Road, but the driver was travelling at over 150 kilometres, and with concerns for public safety, Police abandoned the pursuit.
Police contacted the registered owner of the Ute, who told Police that several men had just been to his property and had stolen his Ute and a BMW from him at gunpoint.
The stolen Ute continued to drive south down the motorway, monitored by motorway cameras.
In the meantime, numerous Police units mobilised and spikes were laid at Bombay.
The stolen Ute drove over the spikes but continued to flee and drove to a nearby cul-de-sac, followed closely by Police.
Officers cordoned the end of the street, but the man got out of his car and ran into a property, holding a firearm.
A couple aged in their sixties live at the property and had been in bed asleep, when they were woken by noises.
The gunman smashed a ranchslider and ordered the gentleman to get into his own Ford Falcon. The man’s wife was left behind. Officers had meanwhile moved in to cordon and contain the property, however the gunman then appeared with the hostage, fleeing south on the motorway in the victim’s car.
The gunman continued to flee and drove to the Hamilton Expressway. A truck and trailer unit had just rolled and was blocking the left south-bound lane.
The car was approaching this area. Officers contained the scene and directed Fire crew (who were assisting with the crash) , to take cover behind their truck. Officers then threw out the spikes as the vehicle approached.
The car drove over the spikes, damaging one of the tyres. The gunman continued to drive south. At Ngaruawahia he pulled over outside an associates house and honked his horn, he kept driving with the hostage still in the car, crashing a short time later.
Waikato Armed Offenders Squad had been deployed and were on the scene moments after the car crashed.
The gunman got out of the car and hid behind the vehicle. He was called upon to surrender and was taken into custody by AOS members a short time later.
He then told Police he’d swallowed 3g of methamphetamine and was taken to Middlemore Hospital.
The 64 year-old hostage received a minor hand injury but was otherwise physically unharmed.
The 27 year-old offender has since been released from hospital and is being interviewed at the North Shore Police Station.
He is expected to face a series of serious charges.
A number of scene examinations are now underway as Police look to establish the full set of circumstances.
Police are appealing for sightings of the black BMW 540i sedan, which was taken earlier in the evening at gunpoint from the Glenfield address.
The registration plate is ERP724.
“This was a dynamic and rapidly evolving incident, involving numerous Police officers across a large part of the North Island. The officers involved have done an outstanding job in challenging circumstances to end this without anyone being seriously hurt” says Inspector Hayden Mander, Waitemata Police.
Enquiries into the other persons responsible for the aggravated burglary in Glenfield are ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the North Shore CIB on 09 477 5261.
Information can also be given anonymously to the organisation Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Beth Bates/Waitemata Police