Police and the Armed Offenders Squad are currently at an address in Takanini following a incident with an armed motorist on the Southern Motorway.
At about 12:39 Police called off a pursuit on the Southern Motorway due to speeds in excess of 170km/h and the offending vehicle exited the motorway at Manurewa. The vehicle was then followed at a distance by Police units and a man was seen getting out of the car with a firearm, pointing it at the following patrol vehicle. The man then walked to another car at the start of the line of traffic, which was being driven by a member of the public, and carjacked the vehicle. He was then driven to an address in Takanini.
The address was quickly cordoned by Police and the offender was apprehended nearby. The member of the public is uninjured.
The house contained nine other occupants, all of whom have been removed, and the scene was searched by the Armed Offenders Squad for the firearm.
All trains on the Southern Line were stopped while the search for the firearm continued. The train lines have now been reopened, with the firearm safely located with a large amount of ammunition.
Cordons around Manuroa Rd have also been opened.
Incident Controller Senior Sergeant Kai Shao of Counties Manukau Police has commended the actions of Police units involved in ensuring the safety of the victim and in the fast apprehension of the offender.
"This is a serious event involving a member of the public and it's noteworthy that no one was injured in this incident."
ENDS
Issued by Kimberley Mathews/Communications Manager, Counties Manukau Police
021 192 0717