Gang member eludes police
A dangerous gang member with a raft of convictions for violence is on the run in Taranaki.
David William Scadden, who is a patched Black Power member and known to have an association with the Uru Taha gang, is believed to be hiding out in the region.
A police post on social media said Scadden was considered dangerous and should not be approached.
The 36-year-old has been evading police for seven days while on a crime spree that began with a burglary in Waitomo last Friday where he is alleged to have stolen a $20,000, 2013 Toyota 86 sports car, registration HDA21.
Scadden has since stolen other vehicles, been involved in high speed chases and rammed a police car but so far has been able to elude armed police.
Detective Senior Sergeant Gerard Bouterey said Scadden was considered a danger to the public and urged anyone who knew of his whereabouts to call 111 immediately.
‘‘The manner in which he is driving is putting everyone in the community at risk,’’ Bouterey said.
Scadden is known to possess firearms but Bouterey could not confirm if he was armed at the moment.
‘‘A firearm was recovered from a vehicle that we believe he had been in.’’
The red Mazda, registration
EEK222, was found in Kairau Rd East, near Brixton, on Wednesday afternoon after police had received reports of dangerous driving. Bouterey said anyone who had a stranger come to their door asking for somebody with a name they did not recognise, or who disturbed an intruder in their house, should call 111 immediately. Police believe Scadden is being helped to evade them by associates who could also face prosecution.
‘‘If we find evidence that is occurring, they will be charged,’’ Bouterey said.
Police first spotted Scadden, who has previous convictions for aggravated robbery, driving the stolen Toyota about 8pm on Friday on State Highway 3 near Waitara. On Saturday he was again seen in the car on SH3 and police were involved in a short pursuit which was abandoned almost immediately due to the speeds involved and dangerous manner of driving.
His luck appeared to have run out when officers spotted him parked up at Oakura Beach and stopped behind the car so he could not escape, but Scadden rammed the patrol car before speeding off again.
His car was later found burntout at the intersection of Tapuae and Barrett roads and police were appealing for sightings of the vehicle and the driver in the region. On Wednesday afternoon Scadden is alleged to have stolen a car near Lepperton before abandoning it at Marfell School, Endeavour St, more than 20 kilometres away.
Despite the armed offenders squad, other officers armed with rifles and police dogs converging on the area, Scadden was able to escape in another stolen vehicle and remains on the run.
Anyone with information about Scadden’s whereabouts or sees him is urged to call 111 immediately.