A man who threatened police with a metal pole following a fleeing driver incident and subsequently died has been formally identified, police say.
He was a passenger in a vehicle being sought by police following the aggravated robbery of a bar in Takapuna, on Auckland’s North Shore.
The Rudder on Hauraki bar was taped off after the robbery on Saturday night, with the suspects making off on Lime scooters before transferring to a vehicle, which was noticed by police on Sunday.
“The driver failed to stop for police and was monitored by the Eagle helicopter as it drove to Ōrere Point, where it came to a stop on the beach at around 3.20pm,” Assistant Commissioner Jill Rogers said.
A passenger from the vehicle, armed with a metal pole, then engaged with arriving police officers.
“Officers have then deployed Taser and pepper spray however the man has continued to resist arrest and an officer has suffered a serious hand injury after being bitten by the man,” she said, adding that the officer had since been discharged from Middlemore Hospital.
“A police dog was then deployed, and the man was eventually taken into custody but has quickly become unresponsive.
“Medical assistance was rendered immediately and a medical helicopter was dispatched. However, he was unable to be revived and was pronounced deceased at the scene.”
The man has since been formally identified, and his next of kin has been notified.
A post-mortem will be carried out to determine the cause of the man’s death.
“It is expected that this post-mortem will be completed tomorrow.”
‘Two robberies and impersonating a police officer’
The driver of the vehicle has today been charged over “previous alleged offending in the Waitematā District”, Superintendent Shanan Gray said.
The 42-year-old has been charged over aggravated robberies at a Wairau Valley bowling alley on February 14, and a Takapuna bar late on March 1.
“Overall, he faces two counts of aggravated robbery and two counts of commission of a crime with a firearm,” Gray said.
The man has also been charged with allegedly impersonating police in relation to the bowling alley incident.
“In that instance, it will be alleged he wore clothing that resembled police uniform.”
He has been remanded in custody to reappear in the North Shore District Court on March 10.
Anyone with footage was asked to contact police.
“Police are aware there were quite a number of people in and around the beach at the time this incident unfolded on Sunday.
“We were able to speak to some witnesses at the time, but we still need to hear from others about what they saw.”
