A man who allegedly rammed an elderly couple's vehicle before firing at them with a shotgun on a Bay of Plenty road has appeared in court.
Ronald David Malyon of Lake Rotoma appeared in Rotorua District Court yesterday after a bizarre and violent rampage near the township on Saturday morning.
He entered no plea but is facing multiple charges including procuring and possessing cannabis plants, possession of cannabis for supply, unlawfully carrying and possessing a firearm, possession of an offensive weapon and showing intention to use it to commit an offence, and reckless operation of a motor vehicle.
The unemployed 51-year-old man allegedly chased the elderly Opotiki couple in his utility vehicle for nearly 20km from Lake Rotoma to Tikitere, ramming them several times and shooting at their car with a shotgun.
The couple, who were travelling to a weekend market, got away and went to police but his violent spree continued when he later overtook a woman on a blind corner north of Rotorua and forced her to stop.
Malyon then allegedly challenged her with an axe before she told him to go away. He apologised and left the woman alone.
Malyon, who was arrested at his home on Saturday night by an armed offender squad, was remanded in custody and is to reappear in court on Thursday.
Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Loper said both incidents involving the elderly couple and the woman were "alarming".
Police found cannabis plants, a firearm, ammunition and a detonator at the man's home.
Accused 'rammed and shot at couple'
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