Man in custody after Murupara police station incident

• A man was arrested after allegedly forcing entry into Murupara police station, prompting an armed response.
• Police found an axe, machete, and chainsaw in the man’s vehicle; negotiators spoke to him for hours.
• Acting district commander Lincoln Sycamore praised police for resolving the situation peacefully and thanked the community.

A man is in custody after allegedly forcing his way into the Murupara police station this morning, sparking an armed police response.

Bay of Plenty Police acting district commander Lincoln Sycamore alleged the man entered the unmanned station by smashing a glass door about 6.45am.

Police cordoned off Pine Drive, with some staff armed as a precaution, and the police negotiation team was called in.

An axe and machete were allegedly found in the man’s vehicle, with a chainsaw that had been thrown over a fence.

Police negotiators spoke to the man for “several hours” and he was arrested outside the station without further incident just after noon.

The front door of the Murupara police station is smashed following an active incident this morning. Photo / Ben Fraser

Charges were being considered.

Sycamore commended police for “negotiating a tricky situation to get a peaceful resolution”.

He also thanked the Murupara community for their co-operation and understanding

“We understand these incidents can be distressing, however there was not believed to be any risk to public safety during or following today’s events.”

Armed police were stationed outside Murupara police station on Pine Drive. Photo / Ben Fraser

Cordons were seen coming down soon after 12.30pm and police tape was put up around the station.

During the incident, armed police were stationed outside the building and police were speaking through a megaphone.

A white ute was parked directly outside the building.

Residents watching from a nearby cordon told the Rotorua Daily Post they understood the ute hit the police station and a person was inside the building.

Armed police are stationed outside Murupara police station on Pine Drive. Photo / Ben Fraser

Sycamore said a vehicle was not used to gain entry.

A police statement during the incident said Pine Dr was closed between Oregon Dr and Main Rd, and asked the public to steer clear.

A Pine Drive worker said she was turned away from a cordon about 8am as she tried to get to work.

Other cars were also turned away.

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“The school’s on Pine Drive so there could have been parents dropping off their children.”

She said she believed police were doing a good job keeping the public clear of the scene.

Police have cordoned off part of Pine Drive in Murupara. Photo / Ben Fraser

“I felt quite safe, they were just concerned about the safety and the wellbeing of people and just closed off the road.”

A witness, who did not want to be named, said he could see armed police and the road was cordoned off.