Man wanted in relation to Beach Haven kidnapping found on Waiheke Island

A man wanted in relation to a violent kidnapping in Beach Haven last month has been found hiding on Waiheke Island.

Police said an early morning trip to Waiheke today ended with a group of people being taken into custody.

“Among those we located was the 25-year-old who was wanted to arrest over the earlier kidnapping,” Detective Sergeant Ray Fa’aofo said.

He is due to appear in court to face serious charges including kidnapping, commission of a crime with a firearm, committing burglary with a firearm and wounds with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

He is also facing a charge of possession of a firearm and ammunition after he was found with a loaded shotgun this morning.

“He is expected to appear in the North Shore District Court later today by way of AVL (audio video link).”

The address police searched was housing people connected to the Mongols gang, Fa’aofo said.

Three others were taken into custody without incident.

The 25-year-old had been subject to an ongoing investigation after last month’s incident - in which police said they believed he may be seeking medical attention after being shot.

Authorities said at the time that three people had arrived at a property just before 7.30pm that Tuesday and a woman was allegedly forced into a vehicle and kidnapped.

A neighbour described hearing an “ear-splitting” gunshot and reported “lots of commotion”.

The injured woman was found later that day at a Greenhithe address on Auckland’s North Shore.