Mt Roskill police incident: Loud cracks heard as three-hour standoff ends with man’s arrest

Four loud cracks rang out as an armed police standoff on a street in the Auckland suburb of Mt Roskill ended after three hours with the arrest of a man.

A section of White Swan Rd, between Ellis Ave and Richardson Rd, was closed as the police Eagle helicopter circled overhead.

Traffic was being diverted around cordons lined with patrol cars, and children had been stopped from walking their usual route back from school.

White Swan Rd is now open in both directions after the incident.

A reporter at the scene said four loud cracks were heard from inside the cordon just after 4pm.

They were heard two at a time and described as a loud “bang-bang, bang-bang”.

The police helicopter was stationed high in the air directly over the property.

Moments later, a phalanx of officers could be seen walking across the street away from the property.

Police could be seen walking a man out of the property before getting into a patrol car.

Inspector Danny Meade said the issue had been resolved.

Police said one man is in custody after they spent a lengthy time trying to engage with the man, who was inside a property with a distressed female.

Police had used “a distraction technique in an opportunity detected by the Eagle helicopter” to end the siege.

There were no injuries, he said.

Armed police descended on a Mt Roskill street, with roads closed and cordons erected. Photo / Dean Purcell

Street closed by family harm incident

At 1.40pm, police confirmed they had closed the street in response to an ongoing family harm incident.

“Police are attempting to engage with an individual in a nearby residence,” a spokesperson said.

“The community can be reassured the matter is contained, and there is no wider risk.

“Further updates will follow when information is available.”

The cordons extended about 500m on either side of the home.

Armed officers were stationed in various properties on surrounding streets.

A crowd of residents gathered at the cordon, wanting to access their homes.

Dozens of students from nearby Lynfield College were being diverted by staff members to streets around the cordon.

Motorists were advised to avoid the area or expect delays, with diversions affecting all traffic, including bus services.

One woman who witnessed the unfolding incident told the Herald: “I didn’t know what was happening, but seeing a cop setting his rifle was scary enough.”

At least four police cars with officers were stationed at a cordon, with traffic being diverted from the area.

The street in Mt Roskill earlier this afternoon. Photo / Dean Purcell

A nearby shop worker said he saw a helicopter in the area, and multiple police cars arrived around 12.45pm.

Police continued to arrive at the scene, with an unmarked police car travelling quickly through the Waterview Tunnel towards Mt Roskill, lights flashing.

Police closed roads and set up cordons around the scene. Photo / Dean Purcell

Another shop worker on White Swan Rd said: “There are so many police cars, more than 20 are on the road.”

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