Armed cops raid house over kidnapping

Police raid a property in Queenstown. Photo / Otago Daily Times

Four people are being sought in connection with an alleged kidnapping in Queenstown last night.

Armed police raided houses in Queenstown and Frankton in connection with the alleged incident.

Queenstown police said they wished to speak to former Southland rugby player Pita Wilson, 38, Joshua James Veint, 23, Mark Taylor, about 17-years-old and an unnamed person.

They would not comment on who the alleged kidnapped victim was, but said more information would be released later today.

Mr Wilson, who made the Southland squad in 2003 after a stint with North Harbour, was shot five times on the Gold Coast in a suspected gang-related incident in June 2006.

The Otago Daily Times witnessed eight armed officers storm into a small home on Frankton Rd at 7pm yesterday, using flash bangs.

Other AOS members, all in full tactical gear and marked police patrol cars, raced towards Glenorchy.

They stopped about three-quarters of the way there and were still waiting by the side of the road when the Otago Daily Times went to press late last night.

More than two dozen officers earlier held a 45-minute briefing at Frankton's St John Ambulance depot.

Nine marked police vehicles were in the car park, including a command van and dog unit vans. Two marked cars with AOS members inside left the briefing and drove directly to the Frankton Rd house.

They entered the building with firearms raised. They were understood not to have detained anyone there.

Three other vehicles, two patrol cars with AOS officers and a dog unit, headed for Glenorchy before stopping near the Aro Ha Wellness Retreat. They were joined by three other units. Within 45 minutes the cars had spread out and were staggered along the winding road.

Police advised that these men should not be approached and the public should contact Police immediately on 111 in respect of any sightings.

- additional reporting ODT