Kaitaia man allegedly abducted at gunpoint

A 15-year-old boy was interviewed by police after an alleged abduction at gunpoint in Kaitaia.

Kaitaia police were yesterday interviewing a 15-year-old boy after a Takahue man was allegedly abducted from his home at gunpoint on Monday evening.

The victim told police that the offender had pointed a shotgun at him, then followed him to the "main house," where his grandparents were in the lounge.

The offender presented the shotgun again and demanded the keys to a vehicle at the address.

He then took the victim to the vehicle, put him in the back seat and drove off. A female associate was also present.

The victim was relieved of the contents of his wallet, and at some point was assaulted, suffering superficial injuries.

He was driven to 90 Mile Beach, where he made his escape, and was assisted by two tourists who found him on the intersection of SH1 and Aupouri Forest's arterial road.

A police spokesman said yesterday that the offender was believed to be a 15-year-old boy, who was suspected of having stolen a single-barrelled shotgun and four rounds of ammunition from a member of his family.

A teenager was found at Kohukohu later in the morning, and was taken to the Kaitaia police station for interview.

The victim was unhurt, and his vehicle was recovered, albeit in severely damaged condition.

No charges had been laid against the teenager at edition time yesterday, but police were considering charges of kidnapping, aggravated robbery, the commission of an offence with a firearm, assault and theft.