The armed offenders squad was called to a property in Kawakawa, Northland last night after two men carrying guns arrived demanding a vehicle.
Police were called to the property on State Highway 1, just south of the Kawakawa township, after 9pm, following a report that two men had arrived at the address.
According to Detective Inspector Rhys Johnston, the two men were carrying firearms and demanded a vehicle parked at the property.
“The occupants managed to leave the address without injury and contacted police,” Johnston said.
Police initially thought the two offenders were still at the property, so the armed offenders squad was deployed.
Cordons were placed on a section of State Highway 1 between the roundabout in the Kawakawa township and Waiomio Road.
“AOS staff voice appealed the address before midnight, and eventually cleared the property however no offenders were present,” Johnston said.
Cordons were stood down at around 1am, and police inquiries were ongoing.
Alongside the Kawakawa robbery, police were also investigating another firearms incident at a property in Kaikohe at 11.15pm.
Johnston said at least two men made “threats” toward the occupant of the address before assaulting him.
“Medical attention was not required”.
Johnston said police “do not believe these events to be random” and that investigations were following lines of inquiry.
“Police need to take these matters seriously and we do not tolerate threatening or violent behaviour involving firearms,” he said.
Police also thanked locals who had been turned around or delayed at cordons in Kawakawa overnight.
