UPDATED 7am: Police have a 32 year old Auckland man in custody after shots were fired and a vehicle pursued through the streets of Tauranga.
A Toyota within the police cordon on the Baypark roundabout.
Western BOP Area Commander Clifford Paxton says a prolonged police pursuit started around 9pm in the Tauranga city area and during the chase a shot was fired from the fleeing vehicle.
The initial chase ended at the Baypark Roundabout. The man abandoned the vehicle and confronted another driver, seizing the vehicle.
The second pursuit ended on Marine Parade, Mount Maunganui. A number of scenes have been secured, says Commander Paxton. No one was injured.
Roads that were closed last night including the westbound lane from the Te Maunga roundabout, have been re-opened.
3News reports police initially responded to a driving complaint on State Highway 2 near Katikati. They chased the driver and used road spikes.
A shot was fired in the direction of three police officers after the car crashed at the Baypark roundabout, says area commander Inspector Clifford Paxton.
The man then ran off just as people were leaving the nearby ASB Arena. Police believe he tried to steal at least three cars. A staff member at a nearby business was then confronted the armed man and a vehicle was taken, says Clifford.
Police at the corner of Marine Parade and Clyde Street tonight.
Parts of Marine Parade were closed off tonight.
Police officers on Marine Parade.
Earlier: There's a major armed police operation tonight across the city from Greerton to Mount Maunganui.
There are reports of roads closed between Te Maunga, Maungatapu and Greerton - Pyes Pa.
Multiple callers to the 0800 SUNLIVE news line report eight police cars, some with rifles, in the Maleme Street area and another caller saying roads have been closed between Pyes Pa and Maungatapu and isolating Windermere.
Police wanted to hear from anyone who saw the incident as they believe there were a number of witnesses.
Callers to Sunlive's newsline reported several shots being heard, and that in Maungatapu police have been going door to door in some areas of Maungatapu.
A police car on the side of Maunganui Road has been seen having all its wheels changed, a caller believing it either crashed or went through road spikes.
This report will be updated as information comes to hand. Are you in the affected area? Tell us what you can see. Ph 0800 SUNLIVE. Send photos to newsroom@thesun.co.nz
5 comments
better than tv
Posted on 30-07-2014 22:50 | By crystalball
Over an hr ago persuit went down fraser toward greerton and car had already hit spikes coz tires very noisy
Scary stuff
Posted on 30-07-2014 23:36 | By Lane
This was so close to my home and was so scary too..
Another tough job
Posted on 31-07-2014 08:01 | By nerak
well done, thanks to our boys and girls in blue.
well done
Posted on 31-07-2014 08:07 | By hapukafin
A good job and great result for the police.
Wow
Posted on 31-07-2014 09:45 | By wannabeme
Grand theft Auto right there! Ill bet the cops got a wake up call. Thats a damn good work story!!
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