A stolen vehicle caught the watchful eyes of Police camera operators in central Auckland this morning.
Police have since made three arrests, recovered a firearm as well as the stolen vehicle.
Auckland City West Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Wayne Kitcher says the sedan was seen travelling along Karangahape Road at around 2.40am.
¡°The vehicle was displaying mismatched plates, which caught our Police camera operator¡¯s keen eye and they have continued to monitor this vehicle¡¯s movements.
¡°While this was happening, the Police Eagle helicopter deployed to the area and took over monitoring the vehicle.¡±
The vehicle was seen travelling into the Sandringham area, coming to a stop near Cambourne Road.
¡°Units on the ground attempted to stop the vehicle, but it fled, and Eagle kept watch until it came to a stop on Arabi Street,¡± Inspector Kitcher says.
Two passengers from the vehicle fled on foot, but one didn¡¯t make it too far after being tracked by a Police dog handler.
The 26-year-old was taken into custody.
¡°The second passenger, aged 35, ran through a number of properties before climbing onto a roof on Oxton Road.
¡°He was soon brought down and taken into custody.¡±
Police also took the driver, a 39-year-old woman, into custody at the scene.
¡°A Police dog handler has also located a firearm near where the vehicle stopped on Arabi Street,¡± Inspector Kitcher says.
Charges are currently being considered for all three people arrested this morning, including regarding the firearm recovered.
¡°No matter the time of day, our staff continue to use a range of resources to help keep our communities safe,¡± Inspector Kitcher says.
¡°I know our staff are just as pleased as our communities are when firearms are taken out of circulation.¡±
ENDS.
Jarred Williamson/51½ÖÉä