Waikato police, searching for a man involved in a violent weekend domestic incident, are seeking the public's assistance in locating him but warn he should not be approached.
Detective Sergeant Mata John of the Ngaruawahia CIB, says Christopher Hemi Mahara, 34, is a high-risk offender allegedly involved in an incident in Horotiu about 3.30pm on Saturday.
" We believe Mahara and his pregnant partner became involved in an argument as they drove in a blue four-door-sedan along River Rd towards Ngaruawahia.
"Mahara, who was in possession of a loaded .22 rifle and an axe handle, became angry and pulled the car over to the left hand side of Horotiu Rd, just before the bridge, where he allegedly assaulted the woman."
Ms John said the man then drove to Ngaruawahia where the woman managed to escape when he stopped at a liquor store.
Police do not know what type of car Mahara was driving and ask that anyone who may have seen the incident on Horotiu Rd make contact with them.
A male Maori of thin build and about 150cm tall, Mahara is wanted not only for the alleged assault but for an existing warrant to arrest for breaching bail.
"All incidents of domestic violence are treated very seriously by police but this one, in which the offender is armed, has obviously escalated to a greater degree of seriousness.
"Anyone who sees Mahara is asked not to approach him but to ring 111.
Anyone who has information on his whereabouts is also urged to contact Ngaruawahia Police on 07 824 8199.
Alternatively information can be left anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555111."
In a less serious incident, Hamilton Police could have been forgiven for thinking a man was training for some type of new hurdling event after he first threw his bike and then himself over several fences in his efforts to avoid capture.
City tactical co-ordinator Senior Sergeant Freda Grace said the strange sight resulted from a Salisbury Pl resident phoning 111 after someone tried opening their front door about 1.50am.
"The occupant did exactly what police are asking residents to do when encountering suspicious behaviour - ring 111 which allowed staff to respond and begin setting up cordons.
"A dog handler quickly arrived and began tracking the offender who realised he wasn't going to get around the cordons by riding his bike so he took to running through several properties, throwing his bike over fences and then following after it in his attempts to escape.
The 24-year-old offender was stopped a short time later.heading towards his Old Farm Rd home.
"When his bag was searched he was found in possession of a laptop computer, i-phone, Play Station 3 and a number of DVDs taken in a burglary of a Cumbria Way address earlier in the evening.
Sen Sergeant Grace said often police often find offenders are targeting addresses close to their own home and this was the case here.
What we ask is that people take responsibility for their own neighbourhoods and if they see something suspicious happening to contact police. This enables us to respond in a timely manner resulting in a successful outcome for all concerned; it's all about safer communities together."
For those who don't want to become directly involved Ms Grace said residents still had the ability to look after their own neighbourhood while supporting police, by providing information anonymously through the 0800 555111 Crimestoppers crimeline.
"Another way to help us while helping yourself is registering all your valuables on the Operation SNAP website (www.snap.org.nz) which allows you to record the serial numbers and images of your valuables.