Cop talks man out of armed stand-off in Oamaru

Photo / File

A police officer talked a man into surrendering after he broke into an Oamaru supermarket with a firearm this morning.

Four staff were confronted by a 62-year-old Oamaru man, who broke into the New World supermarket on Wansbeck St about 4.30am.

Oamaru police were called by one of the staff members. When officers arrived, the staff were allowed to leave, Senior Sergeant Jason McCoy said today.

No one was injured.

The Dunedin Armed Offenders squad was called out and an Oamaru police officer negotiated with the man, who surrendered before the squad arrived.

During the incident, part of State Highway 1 was closed to ensure public safety.

A man was arrested and charged with burglary but police said further charges could follow.

New World Oamaru owner-operator Justin Smith praised the quick actions of his bakery staff who discovered the man and called police.

"They are now assisting the police with their investigation into the incident but we are operating as normal," he said.