A man is facing serious firearms and drugs charges after inadvertently spiking his own vehicle this morning.
Police have since recovered a modified pistol and ammunition, along with methamphetamine.
It all began just after 3am on Clevedon Road.
Inspector Joe Hunter, Area Commander for Counties Manukau South, says a unit had been responding to an unrelated stolen vehicle travelling through the area.
¡°The unit was laying pre-emptive spikes, when a late model vehicle was seen travelling at high speed along the road,¡± he says.
¡°Given the excessive speed, it ran over the spikes and carried on towards Papakura.¡±
The Police Eagle helicopter was in the area at the time and responded.
Inspector Hunter says Eagle located the vehicle parked on Cargill Street, with occupants walking away.
¡°The alleged driver was identified, and our staff spoke with him, advising him he was under arrest.¡±
The man ran into a nearby address.
Additional Police staff arrived on scene and entered the address, Inspector Hunter says.
The 33-year-old man, who is a patched King Cobra, was taken into custody without further incident.
¡°A subsequent search of his vehicle uncovered a number of items of interest including a modified pistol and ammunition,¡± Inspector Hunter says.
The man was breaching his bail and is facing numerous charges in the Papakura District Court.
These include two charges of unlawfully carrying a firearm and ammunition, along with possession for supply of methamphetamine and dangerous driving.
He has also been charged with escaping from Police custody.
¡°It is always pleasing when we remove firearms out of circulation in our communities,¡± Inspector Hunter says.
¡°These enable unlawful activity and puts everyone at risk and in this case, we have put the man before the Court on a range of charges.
¡°I would like to acknowledge the range of Police resource that responded as this incident unfolded.¡±
ENDS.
Jarred Williamson/51½ÖÉä