Man in custody after police operation on Whanganui River Rd

A man has been arrested following a day-long police operation near Whanganui after an alleged family harm incident.

Around 7.30pm on Friday, a police spokeswoman said a 43-year-old man had been arrested without incident around 2km north of Jerusalem after the operation on the Whanganui River Rd that started at 10.40am. No charges had yet been laid but he was expected to appear in Whanganui District Court on April 22 on a number of charges.

The victim of an alleged family harm-related incident was rescued after the alleged offender took her along Whanganui River Rd, police said.

The spokeswoman said police were called to the Parikino area at 10.40am on Friday after reports of a family harm assault.

“When police arrived in the area, the alleged offender had left the area with the victim.

“A number of enquiries have been undertaken during the day to locate them, including air searches with the assistance of a local helicopter crew.”

The alleged offender’s vehicle was located on Whanganui River Rd at 3.40pm.

“The victim was recovered by police at that time and has no serious injuries. She has been transported from the area.”

Late on Friday afternoon police said its negotiation team was “assisting officers on the ground to speak to the man, who is yet to be taken into custody”.

On Friday evening police thanked all those who assisted in the search for the man “including our emergency services colleagues and the local helicopter crew”.