Wanted man’s run comes to an end
A wanted man has been captured by police after being on the run for a month.
Tui Shane Hoani Rippon was taken into custody on Thursday night, but not before a last-ditch effort to avoid arrest by making a dash through the darkness.
Detective Sergeant Chris Allemann said police were tipped off by a member of the public that Rippon was at an address in Manaia, south Taranaki.
A large contingent of officers, including armed police and dog handlers, surrounded the property and upon seeing them, Rippon legged it.
‘‘He took off into the night on foot and he was tracked by a dog,’’ Allemann said.
Rippon, who was not armed, was eventually found hiding behind a garage just before midnight.
The accused had since consented to a remand in custody and will appear in the New Plymouth District Court on May 10. At this stage, the only additional charge he faced was for failing to appear in court, Allemann said.
A warrant for the 29-year-old’s arrest was initially issued by the New Plymouth District Court in early April after Rippon allegedly breached a bail condition imposed on him for charges he faces in connection with an attack on members of The Rebels motorcycle gang at Manaia’s Waimate Hotel in January.
He is one of five men accused in relation to the attack and faces charges of participating in an organised criminal group, wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and assault.
Rippon, a patched member of Whanganui Black Power, avoided arrest for four weeks, including during a recent police call-out to Manaia on April 27.