North Waikato Police are crediting the accuracy of information being relayed by an elderly couple, shot at as offenders left their home, for the prompt arrest of three men overnight.
Huntly Sub-Area Manager, Senior Sergeant Pete Simpson, said the elderly victims had returned from holiday to their Glen Massey home to find a car parked in the driveway.
"Thinking the vehicle belonged to their house-sitter they thought little of it, not knowing they had disturbed a trio of men who had been loading up the car with their belongings.
"The first the couple knew something was amiss was when they heard footfalls and laughter as the offenders ran alongside the house back to the car. As the woman went to get the registration number of the departing car a rifle, taken in the burglary, was fired at her."
Realising they were under fire the couple took cover and phoned Police, it was this information Mr Simpson said enabled Police to affect a timely arrest.
"They were able to give us the registration number, description and direction of travel of the offenders' car. A mobile police patrol on Rotowaro Rd recognised the car travelling towards him at speed, heading to Huntly, and the officer initiated a pursuit.
"Managed by the Police Northern Communications Unit, responding patrol cars were directed to strategic points along the offenders' route and the car was stopped on Jesmond St, outside the Ngaruawahia Police Station, after road spikes had been used."
Three men, aged 25, 27 and 33-years-old were arrested and charged with a variety of offences, including attempted murder, and will be appear in the Hamilton District Court this morning.
"Property thrown from the vehicle during the pursuit included the firearm taken in the Glen Massey burglary and also items taken from an earlier break-in in Waingaro, said Mr Simpson.
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