As darkness fell last night armed police were still searching farmland and bush in the Far North for a man who fled on foot after crashing during a pursuit.
The Eagle helicopter arrived at Pakaraka from Auckland just after 5pm to join police dogs and the Armed Offenders Squad as they searched for the wanted man who was believed to be carrying a gun.
The chopper was still circling farmland east of State Highway 10 at Oromahoe as light faded.
Earlier one man was arrested but another went on the run after a crash on SH10 south of Oromahoe.
The driver, who has a warrant to arrest, failed to stop for police on Marsden Rd, Paihia, in the mid afternoon.
The silver Subaru fled at speed up Puketona Rd, where police abandoned the chase and instead laid road spikes at Puketona Junction.
At least one tyre was punctured but the driver continued driving south, leaving a trail of shredded rubber down SH10.
The car crashed south of Oromahoe about 3.30pm with the passenger located and arrested about 20 minutes later.
Police believed the driver had a firearm so the Armed Offenders Squad and dog units were called in to locate him while officers flooded the area and closed down the highway.
Police were also stationed on top of a hill with far-reaching views.
It is understood the man has gang connections.
SH10 was closed with armed police cordons at the junction with Oromahoe Rd, at a second point near the crash scene about 3km south of Oromahoe, and at Pakaraka.
Traffic was diverted via Old Bay Rd but by 5.30pm dozens of cars had crammed the layby at Oromahoe Rd, some opting to wait until the road re-opened rather than take the diversion, others unable to reach their homes between the cordons.
They included a lineman who was unable to reach his wife and child, who were at home just beyond the second cordon.
About 6.45pm, the first few cars were allowed through so families with children could get home.