Northland District Headquarters
Walton Plaza, Whangärei
Thursday December 6, 2012

A 47-year-old Kaitaia man faces a number of firearms charges following an armed incident south of Kaitaia early this morning.

About 6.45am Police were alerted by members of the public to the incident on State Highway One near Takahue about 14km south of Kaitaia.

Witnesses reported seeing a man in possession of a rifle assaulting two males and forcing them into a van.
The offender, who was also allegedly armed with a pistol, then drove the two victims south on State Highway One.

A short time later the victims were able to escape when the offender stopped the van, got out and walked towards a vehicle that had been following them.

Police were able to identify the offender and a nearby address was cordoned off and phone contact established with the offender. The Armed Offenders Squad was called out, but local officers were able to arrest the offender without incident prior to their arrival.

Police then located the victims as they were driving south of Whangärei towards Auckland.

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On Failures Of Care For Those With Mental Disabilities

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