Far North ram raid: Police recover sawn-off shotgun, hunt second suspect

A sawn-off shotgun was allegedly thrown from the fleeing vehicle near Kaikohe. Photo / NZ Police

A sawn-off shotgun was thrown from a vehicle after a failed ram raid in the Far North, police say.

Mid/Far North area prevention manager, Senior Sergeant Clem Armstrong alleged a stolen vehicle reversed into a Memorial Ave supermarket in Kaikohe about 2.40am on Thursday.

An alleged offender attempted to break the glass, Armstrong said.

Armstrong alleged they spotted a security guard and fled.

A witness jotted down the plate, and police identified the vehicle as stolen.

Armstrong said a police unit conducting area searches found the vehicle in Kaikohe.

“Officers signalled for the vehicle to stop, but it failed to do so and continued travelling at safe speeds.”

The vehicle was tracked about 70km toward Dargaville, when it stopped.

“The driver ran from the vehicle and the passenger attempted to flee but was caught by our staff.”

The driver is still at large.

Armstrong said police learned a sawn-off shotgun was thrown from the vehicle during its travels.

Staff found the firearm on the roadside near Kaikohe, he said.

Armstrong urged anyone with information to call police on 105, quoting file number 260305/5389, or report anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.