A man is in hospital after an overnight police pursuit ended dramatically - with the person involved being hit by a police car.
Authorities confirmed just before 8am they were initially called to an incident just before 5am in Epsom; where a person had unsuccessfully attempted to steal a vehicle by allegedly showing off a gun at a driver on Gillies Avenue.
“After the failed attempt, the offender has then got into another stolen vehicle and left the area,” a statement said.
The Police Eagle helicopter has then followed the car to an address on Cedar Heights Avenue in Massey, West Auckland.
“At the property, the offender has attempted to evade the Eagle crew observing from above - but instead was allegedly seen getting into another vehicle.
“A pursuit was engaged and he has allegedly driven this vehicle at speed; entering the motorway network on Royal Road. Spikes were successfully deployed on the on-ramp.
“The offender has continued to travel at speed and exited the motorway at Lincoln Road. At this point, he has allegedly driven at two members of the public and attempted to steal their vehicles.”
Superintendent Naila Hassan said a police car arrived at the scene then and collided with the offender.
The man, described as a 37-year-old, suffered serious injuries and has been taken to Auckland City Hospital for treatment. He also remains under a Police guard.
Police have not revealed any charges at this stage, but say they anticipate those will be laid at some stage.
Officers have since found a gun inside the stolen vehicle the man had earlier been travelling in from Epsom, police said.
Hassan confirmed several investigations are now underway into the circumstances of the incident.
Police remain at the scene on Lincoln Rd, as of 8am, which has closed two motorway ramps in West Auckland and a police officer confirming “staff are involved”.
Several police vehicles and ambulances are responding to the incident near the intersection of Triangle Rd and Lincoln Rd, Henderson.
At least two vehicles have been involved in a crash on the corner of Triangle and Lincoln roads; with another vehicle stopped outside a nearby petrol station.
A number of police cars were seen surrounding that particular vehicle. One of the vehicles - a dog handler’s car - has suffered some damage to its front bumper.
A witness said a police officer at the scene said “staff are involved”.
A staff member at the Mobil petrol station told the Herald they were serving a customer shortly before 5am when they spotted a commotion outside.
“I looked up and there was a whole lot of police cars chasing something or someone.
“I heard police dogs - I think they let the police dogs out to chase that guy on foot,” the staffer said.
The incident came after a helicopter was heard in the Massey and Henderson areas about 4.30am, locals reported.
Police have blocked off part of Lincoln Rd as a result and commuters are advised to find an alternative route.
The area is usually busy with morning traffic; as people head into the city for work.
The Lincoln Rd motorway ramps, city-bound and west-bound, are also closed. The closures also affect Lincoln Rd, Triangle Rd and Central Park Drive.
“Drivers are advised to avoid the area if possible.”
Traffic is heavy on the surrounding streets in Henderson due to the closure of the Lincoln Rd interchange.
Traffic is building up on Universal Drive and Central Park Drive as well as in Te Atatū, as commuters change their morning journeys.
UPDATE 6:20AM
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) December 4, 2022
Please note the Northwestern MWy remains fully open in both directions beneath the Lincoln Rd interchange. Please use an alternative route (e.g. Royal Rd, Hobsonville Rd or Te Atatu Rd) to/from the motorway in either direction. ^TP https://t.co/8IzPV8mzOW
There is a wide cordon in place - as far as the roundabout on the corner of Triangle Rd and Huruhuru Rd in Massey.
On the other side of the cordon, traffic is gridlocked on Central Park Drive going towards School Rd, Te Atatū, as of 6.30am.
A person stuck in traffic told the Herald: “We’re just sitting here - totally gridlocked”.
LINCOLN RD, HENDERSON - 6:15AM
— Auckland Transport Travel Alerts (@AT_TravelAlerts) December 4, 2022
Due to a police incident Lincoln Rd is CLOSED, with no access to/from Triangle Rd or Central Park Dr or the SH16 motorway. Avoid this area or expect delays with numerous police diversions in place affecting all traffic, including bus services. ^TP pic.twitter.com/n5LCqNchnz
Businesses in the area have had to close due to police cordons being put in place and road closures.
Lincoln Rd Coffee Club’s owner said they have had to close and their business had been affected this morning,
”It is currently a waiting game. It has been many hours,” they said.
”We haven’t heard anything or when we can open - we’ll be waiting to serve our customers.”
Police officers are also at a second scene on a street in Massey.
Several members of the Armed Offenders Squad were seen at Cedar Heights Avenue - as well as multiple people in handcuffs.
