25 May 2017

Man arrested after Whakamaru hunt

8:21 am on 25 May 2017

A man arrested in Rotorua is set to face 23 charges, including using a firearm against a police officer.

Generic police car.

Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson

Police said a 27-year-old Te Puke man was arrested after they went to a Rotorua home about 11pm yesterday.

The man was set to appear in Rotorua District Court today on charges including the aggravated robbery of a liquor store in Bay of Plenty, arson, burglary, theft and driving charges.

They had been seeking a man they called "wanted and dangerous" in the wider Whakamaru, Mangakino and Kinleith in south Waikato yesterday.

He had dumped a stolen car and run into the bush after they pursued him into forest roads in the area.

Armed police, dog units and a helicopter were sent to find him.