UPDATE 3.50pm: A reporter in Welcome Bay says there is a large police presence between the Welcome Bay and Maungatapu roundabouts this afternoon.
Police officers were seen running into the scrub alongside the state highway.
Earlier, Senior sergeant Shannon Clifford said police responded to an incident where a man tried to escape from police but had since been caught and taken into police custody.
EARLIER: Tauranga Police have responded to an incident in Maungatapu area where a man attempted to flee from police.
A reporter said five police cars are parked near the end of Maungatapu Rd.