Police gather on a bridge near Palmerston as they close in on the fugitive couple. Photo / Otago Daily Times
A man and woman who allegedly shot at police during a Bonnie and Clyde-style chase in North Otago will jointly face six charges in court this afternoon.
The couple, from Palmerston North, will face six counts in Oamaru District Court including using a firearm against police, theft of
a motor vehicle and failing to stop.
A number of additional charges could also be laid in relation to both yesterday's incident and the couple's behaviour in the days leading up to it, Detective Sergeant Mike Ryder said.
The 25-year-old man and 20-year-old woman had two toddlers, aged 18 months and 12 months in their arms as they walked away from a crashed Land Rover near Palmerston, north of Dunedin, after an alleged crime spree which began several days earlier in Picton and ended with the crash.
Police said road spikes had not stopped the Land Rover full of stolen goods and during the chase several shots were fired at police from the vehicle.
Police would be seeking name suppression of the six officers allegedly shot at, Mr Ryder said.
After the crash the couple walked away with the two toddlers in their arms, astounding locals who said it appeared like they were "out for a Sunday walk".
By then a large police team was on their trail and they surrendered soon after.
Mr Ryder said police would like to speak to the occupants of two vehicles stopped by police at Mount Royal Hill, 1km south of Palmerston, yesterday afternoon.
- NZPA
