A Police officer injured in Hamilton early this morning after a fleeing driver failed to stop has been released from hospital.
Hamilton City Area Commander, Inspector Rob Lindsay, said the officer had suffered heaving grazing and bruising and was believed to be suffering from concussion and had very little recollection of what took place.
"Given the circumstances he is in good spirits and has been visited by District management representatives and contacted by both the Commissioner's and Police Minister's offices."
The officer suffered his injuries when he was ejected from a vehicle that had earlier fled from Police and had been boxed in by two patrol cars by shops at the Five Crossroads intersection.
"With the offender's car stopped the officer entered the Subaru to try and arrest the 27-year-old driver and immobilize the vehicle but he accelerated into the patrol cars, ramming them to give himself room to escape and the officer was thrown from the car as it accelerated away."
Mr Lindsay said those officers at the scene had been trying to set up road spikes to stop the car that had fled other Police staff about 1.15am.
"About that time Police had been alerted to a silver car involved in a series of three burglaries of care centres in the north and east of the City.
"In the third incident, on Edinburgh St a caregiver disturbed three men in balaclavas attempting to steal his car, a struggle developed and the offenders produced a firearm which was discharged three times."
Mr Lindsay said during that struggle the victim was struck over the head with a weapon and suffered head injuries, he was described as being in a stable condition in Waikato Hospital today.
"As a result of these incidents Police commenced area searches in Hamilton east and a short time later came across a silver car of interest, attempting to pull the vehicle over the driver accelerated away at speed leading to the events in Five Crossroads."
The silver Subaru Legacy, by now travelling on only three tyres was located on Grey St and brought to a halt by a dog handler's vehicle as it tried to negotiate a roundabout on Cobham Dr.
"With his vehicle immobilised the driver has attacked three Police officers before being subdued and taken into custody.
"The driver, who Police warned the public about via the media only a week ago, was found to have a quantity of methamphetamine on his person and is assessed as having been under the influence of that drug at the time these events took place."
Mr Lindsay said it appears the man behind the wheel of the Subaru was not involved in the earlier incidents however Police are keeping an open mind on any links.
The three addresses that were broken into are today being subjected to forensic examinations and to date no firearm has been recovered.
Already wanted on five arrest warrants and 11 active charges the Cambridge driver now faces a number of aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, drug and driving charges.
"This morning's incident involving the injury to our staff member is currently being investigated by the Serious Crash Unit and the Independent Police Conduct Authority has been notified.
"My staff are often faced with making snap decisions in relation to weighing up risks to the public and themselves regarding fleeing drivers. I can say at this point I am confident with the level of professionalism displayed in the management of the situation," said Mr Lindsay.
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