Suspect arrested, pistol still missing

The man who allegedly rammed police cars and stole two loaded guns in Gore before going on the run was arrested yesterday and one of the Glock handguns recovered.

Police located the 24-year-old man at a property in the Te Tipua area, in Eastern Southland, about 3pm where he was taken into police custody.

Southern Police District Commander Superintendent Paul Basham said two people were taken into custody regarding the incident and two people were being treated for injuries sustained during the arrest. Shots were not fired.

Basham said police attempted to stop a vehicle in Gore before midnight on Wednesday. The driver allegedly rammed a patrol car before running away on foot, and was chased by police.

He then circled back around, stole the patrol vehicle, which had the keys left in it, and rammed another police car before abandoning the vehicle a short while later.

Two Glock pistols containing ammunition rounds were stolen from the weapon box in the police car using the keys.

Basham said one of the stolen pistols was recovered at the same Te Tipua property where the man was located.

A quantity of ammunition was also found, and the firearm would be subject to forensic examination as part of the ongoing investigation.

The second stolen pistol remains outstanding.

‘‘Officers are actively working to locate it and are currently following positive leads of inquiry,’’ Basham said.

‘‘I can assure the community that our absolute focus remains on its safe recovery. Anyone potentially involved in hiding or disposing of this firearm should know that there is now a relentless focus on finding it, and that police are willing to work constructively with anyone who can assist these inquiries.’’

Details on likely charges the man may face and any court appearance date were yet to be confirmed.

A police spokeswoman said because of the serious nature of the incident it had been self-referred to the Independent Police Conduct Authority.

The two police officers involved in the incident were on rostered days off yesterday and would be returning for their next rostered shift, she said.

Another police spokeswoman said there were a ‘‘large number’’ of police looking for the alleged offender around Southland yesterday.

Yesterday afternoon, police wearing blue jumpsuits were seen searching a hedge near Crewe and George streets in Gore, near where the stolen police patrol car was abandoned.

A spokesman for Police Minister Stuart Nash said: ‘‘The minister has great confidence in police to pursue the criminal operation and to also follow up any lessons that may arise from this incident. This was a fast-moving event.

‘‘The police officers involved were putting themselves in harm’s way in an effort to pursue someone they suspected of an offence. They had to make splitsecond decisions.’’

‘‘Anyone potentially involved in hiding or disposing of this firearm should know that there is now a relentless focus on finding it.’’ Superintendent Paul Basham Southern Police District Commander