A group of armed offenders fled police almost 100km to Northland after a reported shooting in the Auckland suburb of Massey overnight.
Video / Hayden Woodward
Four men have been charged after fleeing almost 100km from the scene of a “violent” home invasion in Auckland early this morning.
A man in a Massey home, which the Herald understandsto beon Akatarawa St, was threatened and assaulted by three men carrying firearms at around12.30am.
The men fled the scene by car and were eventually arrested at 2.22am when their vehicle came to a stop near Kaiwaka after being spiked.
The four men, aged between 18 and 26, were scheduled to appear in the Waitākere District Court today.
Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Alfred Zhou, of Waitematā CIB said the vehicle was first spiked near Oteha Valley before its driver continued north “driving at dangerous speeds.”
“Armed police took the four occupants into custody without further incident. Thankfully no one else was injured during the incident, which played out over almost 100 kilometres.”
An 18-year-old man is charged with aggravated robbery with a firearm, failing to stop for police, driving a motor vehicle in a dangerous manner and driving while licence is suspended or revoked.
A 29-year-old man is charged with aggravated robbery with a firearm, presenting a firearm at a person.
A 23-year-old man and a 26-year-old man are charged with aggravated robbery with a firearm.
“Three men, all carrying firearms, have entered the address and threatened a man before assaulting him, but no firearms were discharged during the incident.
“The victim received minor injuries from this assault and was later attended to by ambulance staff.”
St John ambulance officers attended the scene. Photo / Hayden Woodward
Police in Auckland's Massey where a 'violent' home invasion involving firearms took place early this morning. Photo / Jason Dorday
A Herald photographer said a silver car was spotted leaving the area and was followed by police as it fled north of Auckland along the motorway.
At least 20 police cars were involved, including dog units, while a police helicopter hovered overhead.
The offenders fled in a vehicle and entered the Northwestern Motorway (State Highway 16) travelling north, Zhou said.
“Several police units signalled for the driver to stop, but he did not, and took off at speed. We decided not to pursue due to the manner of driving but tracked the vehicle north along State Highway 1 with the help of the police Eagle helicopter.”
The car was spiked multiple times.
The car was spiked multiple times before stopping south of Kaiwaka on its rims, the Herald photographer said.
The Herald understands officers following the car were instructed to carry their M4 rifles due to the possibility of a shotgun being carried by the offenders.
Zhou said one of the front tyres on the vehicle was successfully spiked near Oteha Valley, but the driver continued, driving at dangerous speeds.
“As the vehicle passed Moir Hill, the occupants threw out several boxes, bags, and other items from the vehicle onto the Puhoi to Moir Northern Motorway, which police had closed to other motorists.
“We were able to successfully spike the remaining front tyre on the vehicle, but the driver has continued, driving on rims.”
Police were considering charges for the four men arrested.
Hato Hone St John sent an ambulance, a manager and a rapid response vehicle to the Massey address after being contacted at 12.47am, a spokesman said.
“One person was assessed and treated at the scene by the crew.”
