A man was arrested in Otane at the weekend on firearms charges. Photo / Nicki Harper
A man was arrested in Otane at the weekend on firearms charges. Photo / Nicki Harper
A late-night drama unfolded in Otane on Saturday with the Central Hawke's Bay township cordoned off after police received reports of a shotgun being fired in the air.
Traffic was diverted off State Highway 2 between 9.30pm and 10pm, with northbound travellers made to turn off at Argyll Rd andsouthbound motorists asked to use College Rd.
The cordon remained in place until about 11.45pm.
Some residents spoken to yesterday said that between 11pm and 11.30pm the police drove around the streets with loudspeakers asking residents to stay inside and turn their lights out.
Other residents, however, had no knowledge that anything was happening.
The armed offenders squad was also called out to what was described as a domestic disturbance where shots were reportedly fired just after 8pm on Saturday.
A 51-year-old Hawke's Bay man was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, discharging a firearm near a dwelling, and threatening behaviour in relation to the incident.
There were no reported injuries and the man is to appear in Hastings District Court on March 3.
