A man robbed a bank, took a person hostage and led most of the police in Hamilton on a chase through the city yesterday.
Police were called to the Bank of New Zealand at Te Rapa Rd at 1.20pm after the man walked in with a shotgun.
Police arrived just as he was leaving the bank, but he rammed a police dog van before leading a large contingent of the city's police force on a car chase, which covered more than 10km, through a number of Hamilton suburbs, including Te Rapa, Beerescourt and Fairfield.
The man then stopped and took a person hostage at a liquor store near Heaphy Terrace and Clarkin Rd. They drove off in the man's bronze-coloured Ford Laser 1.3 hatchback before stopping again on Heaphy Terrace where the hostage was let go.
The man drove a short distance before he was intercepted by police.
Detective Senior Sergeant Russell Le Prou said the man would face a number of charges when he appeared in the Hamilton District Court today.
Mr Le Prou said any witnesses should call the Hamilton police on 07-858-6200.
"The incident attracted a lot of attention but we are hoping witnesses might help us build a bigger picture."
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