12 Jun 2012

Gang member charged with attempted murder

5:43 pm on 12 June 2012

A gang member who police say shot at an officer in central Auckland has been charged with attempted murder.

Police had been looking for Mr Toleafoa, who was a passenger in a vehicle stopped in Mayoral Drive in the central city about 1am on Friday.

Police say a constable was trying to retrieve the keys from the driver during a routine stop and allege that Mr Toleafoa fired at him at close range.

The constable was not hit, but sustained burns to his forearm.

Mr Toleafoa was arrested by armed police in the carpark of a downtown supermarket at lunchtime on Tuesday with two of his associates.

Detective Inspector Scott Beard said Mr Toleafoa was not armed at the time.

Mr Toleafoa is due to appear in the Auckland District Court on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the woman police allege was driving the car involved in the incident has appeared in court charged as a party to the unlawful possession of a pistol.

Nadia Ball has been bailed until her next appearance.