Driver allegedly fired gun

WHANGAREI: A Whangarei man who allegedly shot at police during a pursuit has been remanded in custody while his alleged cooffender was granted bail.

Mikaera Rivers (24) was arrested late on Tuesday following a series of armed offenders squad follow ups across Whangarei.

No plea was taken when he appeared in the Whangarei District Court yesterday on charges of using a firearm against a law enforcement officer, two counts of unlawfully carry/possess a firearm, driving while disqualified, failing to stop for police.

Police withdrew one charge of unlawful possession of a pistol.

Counsel John Day told the presiding community magistrate the best course would be to remand Rivers in custody without plea for legal aid representation to be made.

Renee Dunn (40) also appeared on one charge of unlawful possession of a weapon and another of unlawful possession of ammunition rounds. She is jointly charged with Rivers on those two charges.

Dunn also did not enter pleas and has been given bail to reappear on the same date as Rivers. She was on a 24hour curfew.

Tuesday’s pursuit started when a vehicle with two occupants pulled into a police checkpoint in Otangarei at 2.13am but drove off before officers could speak to the driver. — Northern Advocate