Armed police arrest fugitive
Armed police arrested a dangerous fugitive in the carpark of a New Plymouth supermarket.
Customers at the Hori St Countdown were forced to stay inside while police armed with Bushmaster rifles and Glock pistols swarmed the carpark to apprehend Phillip Free Knuckey.
The drama began to unfold about 9.30am yesterday when officers rammed a car Knuckey and a female were travelling in following a short chase. Knuckey, 41, had been on the run for about a month.
Police had described him as armed and dangerous and warned the public not to approach.
A warrant for Knuckey’s arrest had been issued after he failed to appear in court to face domestic violence charges including threatening to kill, assault with a weapon and possession of an offensive weapon.
Detective Heath Karlson confirmed Knuckey, who was believed to be in possession of firearms, had been arrested.
‘‘The New Plymouth police are excited to now have Knuckey in custody after some good investigative work,’’ Karlson said.
Police also arrested the female who was in the car.
Sam Murphy said he was shocked to witness the pursuit.
‘‘This red car came flying down the hill and pretty much drifted into the supermarket carpark,’’ Murphy said. ‘‘I thought, ‘What an idiot.’’’ Sarah Cochrane said she was about to leave when she heard all of the sirens and wondered what was happening.
‘‘Then the girl at the checkout said ‘you can’t go out you’ll have to wait inside for a while,’’ she said.
Cochrane said she was stunned to see the armed police running around the carpark. ‘‘I didn’t expect to see that when I came down here.’’
Karlson thanked Countdown staff for responding quickly and keeping all their customers and staff inside the building.
Three marked patrol cars and and unmarked car were at the scene along with officers carrying firearms.
A tow truck had been called to pick up the damaged car Knuckey had been in.
Meanwhile a section of Glenpark Ave had also been cordoned off while the Armed Offenders Squad searched the house where Knuckey was believed to be hiding out.
Curious neighbours watched from their driveways as general duties staff carrying firearms kept the public at a distance.
Detective Senior Sergeant Brent Matuku said Knuckey was caught as a result of the police investigative techniques and information received from the public.
‘‘I think it is a relief for the public to have him back in custody,’’ Matuku said. ‘‘We always appreciate the assistance provided by the Taranaki public.’’
Matuku said the hunt had used a lot of police resources that could have been better deployed protecting the Taranaki community.
During the searches for Knuckey police had also recovered a number firearms, he said.
Knuckey had consented to a remand in custody overnight and is due to appear in the New Plymouth District Court today.
Yesterday’s arrest followed a series of vehicle stops and search warrants in New Plymouth and Stratford this month, which have been carried out by armed police hunting for Knuckey.
At one point Knuckey appeared to taunt police on Facebook.
A ‘‘Phil Knux’’ commented about a story detailing the warrant for the arrest of Phillip Knuckey. Knux said ‘‘... what have u found mr police?? nothing because ur just using me as a reason to harass the public...’’