Police investigating two firearms incidents in Kawakawa, Kaikohe

Police Vehicle. Photo / NZME

Police are investigating two separate firearms incidents in Northland overnight, including one aggravated robbery.

The Armed Offenders Squad [AOS] swarmed the area, and cordons were put in place at a property just south of Kawakawa after reports that two men had arrived armed with firearms.

Detective Inspector Rhys Johnston of Northland CIB said reports suggested both men demanded a vehicle parked at the property around 9pm.

The occupants managed to flee uninjured and contacted police, Johnston said.

The offenders were initially thought to still be at the property, and the AOS was deployed.

Cordons were put in place around the roundabout in Kawakawa, and the southern cordon at Waiomio Rd.

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“AOS staff voice appealed the address before midnight, and eventually cleared the property, however, no offenders were present,” Johnston said.

Cordons were stood down around 1am, and police inquiries remained ongoing.

Johnston said a second firearms incident was also being investigated, which was reported at a Kaikohe property around 11.15pm.

“At least two men made threats towards the occupant of this address, before assaulting him, but medical attention was not required.”

Johnston said he acknowledged the co-operation of motorists who were turned around or delayed at the cordons near Kawakawa overnight.

“Police need to take these matters seriously and we do not tolerate threatening or violent behaviour involving firearms.

“What I can say at this stage is that we do not believe these events to be random, and police are following lines of inquiry in the investigation.”

Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.