Tauranga police apprehended a 36-year-old fleeing driver with non-lethal sponge rounds, and a Taser, after a 15km incident this morning.
Police were initially called to an address on Sabana Pl in Bethlehem after a person reported a relative being shot at shortly after 8am.
Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Tim Anderson said officers were responding as the suspect left the scene in a white ute and drove towards Cameron Rd. Officers found the vehicle and observed while plans were put in place to safely stop it.
Anderson said the vehicle fled when police signalled for it to stop and a short pursuit was abandoned when the driving behaviour deteriorated.
“CCTV cameras were used to track the car and get units in place to spike it without increasing the risk to the public or police. An officer was able to spike the tyres on The Strand.The rubber finally gave way while the vehicle was being driven erratically near Tauranga Police Station.”
The driver then left the vehicle holding a firearm, and was immediately challenged by police who unsuccessfully appealed for him to put the weapon down.
Officers then used non-lethal sponge rounds and a Taser to end the incident about 15km away from the initial address in Bethlehem.
Sponge rounds, fired from a 40mm gas launcher, were introduced for police use in 2013 and widely rolled to all specialist Armed Offenders Squad units across the country in 2015.
The 36-year-old Tauranga man was taken into custody shortly before 9am, and received medical attention for minor injuries.
He was charged with firearms and driving offences, and was due to appear in the Tauranga District Court on Tuesday.
Anderson said scene examinations were ongoing at Sabana Pl, where there would be an increased police presence.
“I’m proud of the efforts of the officers involved. They were faced with an unpredictable and dangerous situation and resolved it quickly, without anyone being seriously injured,” Anderson said.
Anyone who witnessed the events, or had dashcam footage of the incident was urged to contact police online, by calling 105 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
