A Ruatoki Valley family were subjected to an armed offenders squad operation in the middle of the night following a dramatic police chase.
The Teepa family were first aware of the unfolding drama when a family member saw lights from a police helicopter in the early hours of Sunday morning, went outside and had laser beams pointed at her.
Whakatane Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Standen said a Poroporo home had been burgled on Saturday night.
"At about 10.30pm on Saturday a firearms safe and ammunition, along with chainsaws, fishing equipment and a lawnmower, were stolen from a shed," Mr Standen said.
Police caught up with the SUV involved in the burglary close to the Pekatahi Bridge and began to follow it towards Taneatua.
At one point the offenders' vehicle stopped and reversed into the police car before taking off again.
The same police car and a second one were rammed during two further attempts to stop the offenders, causing minor injuries to one male police officer.
The offenders also threw a chainsaw from their vehicle at a police car and were last seen heading south on Reid Rd.
Waitangi Teepa, who lives at the Ruatoki address searched by police, said her mother stepped outside after noticing the chopper lights and had red laser beams pointed at her.
"Apparently someone had hijacked a truck, Bonnie and Clyde styles, filled with stolen weaponry, rammed a police car then decided to make a runner back home," she said.
"Anyway, definitely a case of mistaken identity."
She said she was woken, told to go outside and stand on the steps in front of the door.
"AOS men were sussing us out and we couldn't see anything except the masses of police lights, the helicopter circling and black masks."
Mr Standen said the helicopter assisting police had identified a "vehicle of possible interest" at the address.
"Given the nature of the burglary and the fact that firearms were involved, the armed offenders squad was utilised to check out and clear that location," he said.
Ms Teepa had some hard words to say about offenders who took trouble to the valley.
"I didn't put up with this in the city so there's no way I'm putting up with it in my Manawa [heart]. Our children deserve a positive future and you will not be a barrier to hindering their success."