Wanted teenager taken into custody

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Police yesterday took into custody a wanted teenager who sparked an Armed Offenders Squad response at a house in Tyndall Road last week.

That area of Kaiti was cordoned off on Thursday afternoon by armed officers when they went to a house to look for the 19-year-old.

He was not located at the address at that stage.

Police said the teenager, who was considered to be a high risk offender, was arrested yesterday and remains in custody.

“He had cut off his electronic monitoring bracelet.”

A second wanted man, Hira John Wharepapa, aged 33, remains at large.

Police have sought information from the public to help locate Wharepapa who has outstanding warrants to arrest.

His face is heavily tattooed, with the word Turanganui a Kiwa on his forehead, and the words ‘Fist and Bang’ above his eye brows.

Police said he should not be approached, and anyone seeing him should call 111.