Two people were taken into custody in Auckland last night after a gun was allegedly fired from one vehicle at another, while a third is accused of driving through a police cordon.
Police said an altercation took place between two groups outside a restaurant on Lunn Ave in Mt Wellington before the two parties separated and got into two vehicles.
Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said the occupants of one vehicle allegedly fired a shot towards the other one.
“Both vehicles fled immediately after, however our staff were in the area, and signalled one to stop.”
The other vehicle continued on towards Mt Wellington and was tracked by the police helicopter heading towards Māngere Bridge, where it pulled into a property on Mountain Rd.
The occupants ran through properties and got into another vehicle, Baldwin said.
“The offenders then continued onto the South-Western motorway towards Manurewa and officers attempted to stop it on Puhinui Rd, however, it failed to stop.
“A pursuit ensued towards a Burundi Ave address where two people were arrested, both with gang links.”
A sawn-off shotgun was also located in the vehicle.
While officers were at the scene, another vehicle drove through police cordons and failed to stop when signalled. Baldwin said the driver, who was the partner of one of the arrested men, was also taken into custody.
“We know incidents like this are distressing for the wider community, so these swift arrests by our diligent staff are really pleasing and significant to ongoing public safety.”
He added there was currently no known link to a firearms incident which left a man critically injured in East Auckland later that night.
“We are keeping an open mind at this very early stage.”
A 30-year-old man will appear in Auckland District Court today charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, failing to stop, and intent to cause grievous bodily harm with a firearm.
