Fugitive arrested and taken to hospital for emergency surgery

Man needed emergency surgery at Whangarei before police could interview him. PHOTO/FILE

A man with a serious arm injury suffered when he allegedly smashed a window and took keys to a car was eventually arrested after police surrounded a Dargaville house and found him in a bedroom on the floor.

The arrest was the end result of a two-day search which included the man allegedly taking two vehicles and ramming a police car. He was taken to Whangarei Hospital for emergency surgery before police could interview him.

Acting Sergeant Craig Curnow said the man demanded the keys to a car from people at a house in Dargaville on Saturday about 3pm. The vehicle was seen and pursued by police but they were unsuccessful in finding him despite cordons in the area.

On Sunday the car was spotted at Kaihu and police responded and cordons were put in place. The car was pursued but crashed off the road, with the driver approaching a house and allegedly smashing a window to get keys to another vehicle.

The man allegedly hit a police car and continued until the vehicle broke down. Police believe the man got a ride to Dargaville where they found him at a house.

Ihaka Tamihana, 31, of Mamaranui, appeared in Whangarei District Court on two charges of failing to stop, robbery, being in a building unlawfully, stealing a $14,000 vehicle and causing intentional damage to a police car. He is in custody until February 20.