Fugitive's dramatic arrest in central city

Murray Toleafoa was at large for five days. Photo / Supplied

Witnesses watched as armed police converged on a central Auckland supermarket carpark to arrest a man on the run after allegedly shooting at an officer.

Murray Toleafoa, 30, will appear in the Auckland District Court this morning charged with attempted murder following his dramatic arrest yesterday.

He had been evading police since Friday morning, after he allegedly fired a pistol at a policeman who had stopped the car he was travelling in with girlfriend Nadia Ball, 20. The officer was not hit, but the bullet passed so close it caused burns to the skin on his forearms.

Police earlier described Toleafoa as dangerous and said he should not be approached, urging anyone who saw him to call 111 immediately.

Toleafoa's arrest yesterday came just hours after the Herald published hundreds of "wanted" posters, which were highly visible at points of sale around the city.

A woman who had been shopping in the Quay St Countdown was in the carpark when the drama unfolded. Police would not say whether Toleafoa had been in the supermarket, and the woman had not seen him in there.

Countdown staff did not believe he had been in the store.

"He was in a car coming out of the Countdown carpark. He was in the passenger seat and another man was driving," the woman told the Herald.

"Then all of a sudden undercover cops came out with their guns, opened the doors and got the guys face down on the ground. Soon after other detectives came."

She said Armed Offenders Squad officers yelled at Toleafoa and the others to "get on the ground".

"After, a detective went up to him and said, 'Murray, it's [the detective's name]' ... That's when I knew it was Murray Toleafoa."

She said the action was "exciting" and said she recognised Toleafoa.

Toleafoa was in police custody last night. He is believed to have been moving between addresses, including motels, in his bid to avoid arrest.

Detective Inspector Scott Beard said an officer had been following the vehicle Toleafoa was travelling in and called in backup. A number of plans had earlier been put in place to ensure the arrest, when it happened, would not endanger the public.

Mr Beard said the vehicle was "immobilised" by police and then six AOS members moved in and arrested Toleafoa. He did not resist and was not armed.

The pistol Toleafoa allegedly used on Friday had not been located.

Mr Beard said the investigation into the shooting was ongoing. It was possible others would face charges in relation to helping Toleafoa. Further charges against the alleged gunman were also being considered.

Mr Beard said five days was not an ideal length of time for Toleafoa to be on the run.

"But when people want to hide from police in a big city like this - it's easy. The police did a great job today.

"I'm relieved that we have found the man who we allege shot at one of our officers. Whether a firearm is used against police or a member of the public - it's a very serious crime."

The injured officer was still off work and Mr Beard did not know when he would return to frontline duties. He said the 40-year-old constable, who has been in the police for nine years, was pleased an arrest had been made.

"I'd like to thank the public for its support and my staff for their dedication and hard work over the past four and a half days. The officer who was shot at has also expressed his gratitude to his colleagues for all the work that has gone into finding Toleafoa."

Ball was arrested on Sunday night - also travelling in a car. She was hiding in the back seat of a car that came to police attention as it pulled out of a South Auckland service station.

She appeared in the Auckland District Court on Monday, charged with possession of a pistol. Ball was remanded on bail, given a 24-hour curfew and banned from contacting Toleafoa, driving or entering the CBD.