Police appeal for group that threatened a father with his young son

Three men wearing bandannas got out of the silver car and approached the pair, while another remained in the car. Photo / File

Police want to speak to anyone who saw a group of masked men pretend to shoot a father in front of his young son earlier this year.

The man and his young child were driving down Lord Cobham Drive in Whakatane on January the 17th when they were cut off by a silver car and forced to stop.

Three men wearing bandannas got out of the silver car and approached the pair, while another remained in the car.

Detective Sergeant Darren Thomas says the offenders accused the man of being a Mongrel Mob member and put a sawn-off shotgun to his neck and cocked the trigger.

He says the man told his upset child to close his eyes, as he thought he was going to be shot in the head and didn't want his child to see it.

The offender with the shotgun then pulled the trigger, the gun went 'click' but did not fire, and the group walked back to the silver car laughing and then drove away.

Thomas said the incident happened on the same day as tensions erupted between rival gangs during a funeral procession.

"This is was an incredibly distressing event for the victims and Police are determined to find the men responsible and hold them accountable.

Police believe the man was mistakenly identified as a gang member and for that reason are concerned that the offenders involved in this incident could have gone on to stop other vehicles that night.

If people have experienced something similar to the incident described above, potentially witnessed such an event or have other information which may help our investigation, we ask that they contact us.

Thomas said the incident occurred on the same day police were responding to tensions between rival gangs during a funeral procession through the wider Whakatāne area.

"We want to reassure members of the public that we have arrested and charged more than 20 people in relation to the events that day, and are focused on trying to ensure people in the Whakatāne community are safe, and feel safe."

People with information in relation to this event can ring Whakatāne Police on 07 308 5255 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.