Man arrested after rifle pointed at female officer

A 20-year-old man has been arrested after a rifle was pointed at a female police officer in Katikati.

Police said the constable had been responding to a report of suspicious activity early this morning.

She was leaving the home of a witness at about 2:30am when she spotted a man near the intersection of Fairview Road and Robinson Street.

When she stopped to speak to the man he dropped bags he was carrying and is alleged to have swung a rifle toward her, police said.

The officer left immediately and called for back up. Armed Offenders Squad members were deployed in the area.

"A bag containing a rifle and ammunition was located and a short time later a man who emerged from a nearby address was arrested without incident."

Police said the accused would appear at Tauranga District Court later today charged with burglary, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, using a firearm against a law enforcement officer and unlawful taking of a vehicle.

- Herald Online staff