Armed police are searching rural areas around Port Waikato today in the search for a man wanted in relation to a homicide near Huntly last month.
Kim Bruce Smith is wanted by police in connection with the death of Tribesman gang member Dwayne Andre Wilson, who was shot at a Waingaro property last month. Smith is also wanted on a raft of other serious charges, including aggravated robbery, serious violence, firearms and drug offences. He is a senior member of the Outcasts gang and has been on the run since early this year.
Smith is considered dangerous and should not be approached.
Police on Monday investigated a sighting of Smith in an area of pine forest on Klondyke Rd, between Onewhero and Port Waikato. Searches in the area on Monday and yesterday failed to find him.
But police say they found a hut in the forest that had recently been occupied. Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Whitehead said the hut had been set up with cooking equipment, bedding and clothing. Police also found several firearms in the hut.
"We believe this hut had been occupied by Smith and judging by the condition of it, there are indications he may have fled the area in a hurry and was perhaps disturbed by the police presence," Mr Whitehead said.
Police believe Smith is likely to be on foot in the area bounded by Port Waikato Rd, Waikaretu Rd, Baker Rd and Onewhero Rd near Wairamarama, a small farming district near Port Waikato.
Mr Whitehead said police would be making inquiries in the area today with residents and there was likely to be an armed police presence in the area.
"We would ask that people living in the area make sure all their buildings and vehicles are secure and they should make sure that any firearms are secure. These are just precautionary measures that we would advise people to take," he said.
Police want to hear from anyone who has seen anything suspicious in the Port Waikato area in recent days, such as buildings broken into, cars stolen or food and other items that may have gone missing.
"Smith is dangerous and it is imperative that we find him as soon as possible," Mr Whitehead said. "Information from locals or the greater public would be of immense help to us."
Mr Whitehead said anyone assisting Smith to avoid arrest or prosecution could face criminal charges themselves.