Armed man Tasered in Rotorua

An armed man has been arrested after leading police on a chase through the Rotorua CBD on Thursday. File Photo.

Rotorua Area Commander Inspector Bruce Horne is praising the bravery of two unarmed police officers who pursued and apprehended an armed man in Rotorua.

The incident kicked off after an officer stopped a vehicle with two occupants inside, across the road from the police station on Fenton Street, for driving at excessive speed at about 2.30pm on Thursday.

Bruce explains the passenger got out and spoke to the officer who'd stopped the vehicle, and at that moment, the driver of the vehicle took the opportunity to speed off.

'The police officer who has stopped the car pursued the vehicle. During the pursuit the police officer who had stopped the vehicle sought assistance from other police staff.

'The fleeing driver circled the Rotorua CBD and then returned to Fenton Street.”

The driver attempted to avoid road spikes deployed by police on Fenton Street by driving along the side of the road. But in doing so, he collided with a concrete wall and his vehicle was quickly surrounded by police cars so the driver then fled on foot.

It was at this time that officers saw the male was carrying a firearm.

'Two officers continued to follow the male at a distance on foot in order to observe his movements. Neither of those officer were armed.

'It is alleged the offender has turned and confronted those police officers on at least two occasions, threatening to shoot them.”

The man then entered a business about 100m from where he has left the car and attempted to steal another vehicle, but became surrounded by armed police and a Taser was deployed.

Police later recovered a loaded firearm from the vehicle he was attempting to steal.

Following the man's man was arrested he was transported to hospital for routine checks following the Taser deployment.

Bruce describes the two officers' actions as 'selfless and motivated by the safety of others”.

Their immediate concern was the possibility that the offender would try and hijack another vehicle or take a hostage, and they were determined to do whatever they could to prevent that from happening – notwithstanding the fact they were not armed themselves.

"It would have been a very tense minute or so for them until other armed police staff arrived in support and were able to carry out the arrest.

'It was a fantastic team effort and a credit to the professionalism of all of the police staff involved that this incident was resolved quickly and without anyone being seriously injured.”

The man is expected to face driving and firearms charges.

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2 comments

Arming our officers

Posted on 21-10-2016 08:03 | By Kenworthlogger

As the story says our Police officers have to risk their lives as they are not allowed to be routinely armed. Lets arm our officers with Gloks and risk the lives of the offenders instead. If your being good you will have nothing to fear.


golly gosh

Posted on 22-10-2016 07:47 | By old trucker

Thats what they signed up to do, is it not,what if they had been (shot) would (Bruce ) be praising them then, wonder if they would like a GOLD MEDAL or a CHEST to hang it on.my 3 shillings worth.Thankyou No1 in the Bay.


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