A man is in custody after a chaotic night that saw police officers shot at and people taken hostage in their own homes in the eastern Bay of Plenty overnight.
The ordeal began at around 10pm on Wednesday when police approached a suspicious vehicle on State Highway 30. Officers say the sole occupant then fired a gun.
"Moments later, the weapon was presented at both officers, though thankfully neither was injured," police said in a statement.
As the officers fled to a safe location, the suspect allegedly took a vehicle from a nearby house and drove off.
"An immediate police response allowed officers to set up cordons and locate the vehicle, preventing the suspect from leaving the area," police said.
"The police helicopter, Eagle, was deployed from Auckland to assist units on the ground."
The stolen vehicle was then driven into a property on Hydro Road, Edgecumbe where two occupants were allegedly verbally threatened and held hostage.
The suspect then entered another building on the property where a third victim, aged in their 70s, was allegedly assaulted and held hostage for more than two hours.
Police rescued the two victims from the main house at about midnight while a police negotiation team talked with the suspect, who remained in the other building.
After about 30 minutes he surrendered and was taken into custody without incident.
The injured victim was then taken to hospital with minor injuries and a sawn-off .22 rifle was recovered at the scene.
A 31-year-old Kawerau man will appear in the Whakatāne District Court on Thursday facing charges relating to using a firearm against law enforcement, kidnapping, wounding with intent to injure, aggravated burglary, failing to stop, threatening to kill, unlawfully taking a motor vehicle and wilful damage.
Police say it was "a dangerous and unpredictable" incident.
"Three victims have been through a distressing ordeal in their own home, a place where they should feel safe, and two police officers have faced a totally unacceptable threat while going about their duty."
"Police are ensuring the victims and the officers have the support they need.
"I’m proud of the actions of our police, who brought this volatile incident to a peaceful conclusion."
Police said there will be an increased presence in the area and officers will be doing reassurance patrols.
Scene examinations will continue along State Highway 30 and Hydro Road on Thursday.
Newshub.
