A man has been arrested more than five hours after he allegedly forced entry to the Murupara police station this morning.
The man allegedly smashed a glass door at the unmanned station at around 6.45am.
Police, with some staff armed as a precaution, cordoned off Pine Dr between Oregon Dr and Main Rd.
Acting Bay of Plenty District Commander Lincoln Sycamore said an axe and a machete were located during a search of the man’s vehicle along with a chainsaw that had been thrown over the fence.
The police negotiation team were called to assist and engaged with the man for several hours before he was arrested outside the station just after midday.
“We would like to thank the members of the Murupara community for their cooperation and understanding while this incident unfolded,” Sycamore said.
“We understand these incidents can be distressing, however there was not believed to be any risk to public safety during or following today’s events.”
Police were considering charges against the man.
Murupara is a small town of just over 2000 people located 65km southeast of Rotorua on the boundary of Te Urewera.
