Armed police search for man in Eastern Hutt hills

Police have recovered a firearm believed to have been dumped by a man on the run from them in the Eastern Hutt hills above Taita this evening.Inspector Geoff Gwyn, Lower Hutt Police Response Manager, said police were called by the occupants of a Naenae address when a man and woman known to them drove to their house late this afternoon.Details are still unclear but the man was seen with a firearm in the car, raising some concerns by the householders.When it was indicated police would be called, the man and woman, who had a year old girl in the car with them, drove off. The car was stopped by police without incident as it left the Taita Cemetery.  The man was not in the car and the female driver has been arrested. The child was unharmed and is now in care. Shortly after stopping the car police found a firearm and jacket in the cemetery.  Police are still looking for the man at the centre of the search.The Armed Offenders Squad has been called out, along with dog handlers, negotiation team members and the Westpac helicopter to support Lower Hutt patrols in their search. Industrial property in Wingate has been cleared, along with several other properties linked to the man.Inspector Gwyn is appealing for people to immediately report any sightings of the man to police.  The man is described as a caucasian, 187cm tall, of thin build wearing a white top and dark pants.He said police are talking with witnesses and gathering information to find out what sparked the call-out.Ends