Northland District Headquarters
Walton Plaza, Whangärei
Wednesday November 28, 2007.
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A Northland police officer fired two shots at a stolen vehicle after it rammed a police vehicle and then continued driving towards him while he was standing on the road.

The incident began around 6pm yesterday (Tuesday November 27) when Kawakawa Police were alerted to a stolen vehicle driving along Waiomio Road, south of Kawakawa.

Upon police arrival the offending driver drove off at speed clipping a police vehicle and causing moderate damage in the process.

A Police pursuit has then proceeded along State Highway One towards Kawakawa and then on to Ruapekapeka Road.

The driver of the stolen vehicle, being pursued by other police, has then rammed a stationery police vehicle in his path, moving it several metres in the process.

The driver then continued past the police vehicle and towards a police officer standing on the road.

At this point the police officer has fired shots at the stolen vehicle.

The driver, who was the sole occupant, has continued to drive down Ruapekapeka Road where a further police cordon has been set up. The driver stopped and was taken into custody.

No persons were injured throughout this incident.

As a result of this incident a 17-year-old man will be appearing in the Kaikohe District Court today charged with unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, aggravated assault, failing to stop, reckless driving, burglary, driving while forbidden and assault with a weapon.

As part of normal Police process, the Police Complaints Authority has been notified and will be carrying out an independent investigation of the incident.

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