Manhunt triggers lockdown

A police hunt for a man described as armed and dangerous has closed roads and forced locals to stay indoors.

Last night police were searching for 27-year-old Te Morehu Enoka, after he was allegedly involved in a petrol drive-off in a stolen vehicle in Tokoroa about 9am yesterday.

Bay of Plenty Police closed roads and told locals around Whakamaru and Atiamuri to lock themselves inside.

The armed offenders squad, dog units and Eagle helicopter were all involved in the search.

Police also warned motor- ists not to give strangers lifts if they were hitch-hiking. The search began in the A Whakamaru mother told the Rotorua Daily Post she had been locked inside her house all day, apart from when she dashed to the school bus stop to pick up her 6-year-old.