Shooting linked to Highway 61
Police say an incident where shots were fired at a property in North Taranaki is gang related.
About 6pm on Tuesday armed police converged on Waitara after shots were fired at an address on Norman St.
‘‘We believe that the shooting is linked to the Highway 61 gang,’’ Detective Sergeant Heath Karlson said.
A car crashed through gates at the property before two vehicles slammed into the side of a building inside the yard.
No arrests have been made and police have urged the offenders to hand themselves in before anyone else got hurt.
Acting Area Commander Detective Senior Sergeant Brent Matuku said officers were continuing to investigate the incident and three firearms and ammunition had been recovered, as well as two vehicles.
These vehicles are a green Ford Falcon station wagon and a silver Nissan Primera, both late 1990s models.
‘‘We are appealing for anyone who has seen these vehicles in the area last night or in recent days to contact police with any information they have,’’ Matuku said.
He said early indications were both vehicles entered the property.
‘‘One of the vehicles crashed through an exterior gate and then both vehicles then drove into one of the buildings in the yard.’’
Matuku said it had been extremely fortunate nobody had been seriously injured or potentially worse.
Police had some good positive leads to follow but Matuku said they wanted the public’s help with getting more information.
‘‘We have got a number of people using firearms in an extremely dangerous manner.
‘‘More people are going to get hurt unless people come forward and hand themselves in, in relation to this matter.’’
Matuku said the building was not a dwelling where anyone lived long term.
‘‘It’s an industrial area, it’s a club house where a number of people use it.
‘‘There are connections and associations with the Highway 61 at that property but it’s not exclusive to that.’’
Matuku said armed police officers blocked off the New Plymouth end of Norman St about 6.15pm on Tuesday and cordons were in place for a time.
At least five officers were seen at Cracroft St, with another two each at Blake and Mould streets on Tuesday night.
The property is surrounded by a high wooden fence with security cameras and a house bus and caravan are on the site.
The building is constructed from sheet metal and a large dent has torn a hole in a wall below a broken window.
Mould St resident David Noble described it as ‘‘quite freaky’’ to see three police cars pull up outside his house and armed officers get out.
‘‘We just came straight inside, we had to get out of the way because we have got young children,’’ Noble said.
‘‘I haven’t ever seen cops outside my house with guns before.’’
On Wednesday a forensic team and police photographer were at the property conducting a scene examination.
Matuku asked anyone who was in the area on Tuesday night, or had information, to contact police on (06) 759 5500 or provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.