A man charged in connection with a high-speed chase across the city that the police have described as a highly dangerous and reckless has appeared in court in Auckland this morning.
A red Holden sped across Auckland on 31 January as police chased after the car. Photo: Facebook
Police shot at a car at a busy intersection in Manurewa after monitoring its movement for over an hour across the city.
The 44-year-old man was apprehended at the intersection of Roscommon and Weymouth Roads about 4.30pm Thursday. He appeared in the North Shore District Court this morning and is due to appear in the same court again on Monday.
The incident began with reports a man had shot a gun on the North Shore just after 3pm. Police said a man fled the scene, speeding across the city before arriving in South Auckland.
Superintendent Naila Hassan said police fired more than one shot at the car near the intersection of Weymouth Road and Great South Road, due to the serious risk posed to the public and police.
"He needed to be stopped, and I am incredibly proud of the efforts by police officers across Tāmaki Makaurau, who did their very best to keep the community safe and resolve a volatile and fast-moving situation."
The man was treated in Middlemore Hospital before being taken to Henderson Police Station.
Police said he would be charged with a number of driving and firearm-related charges, and the Independent Police Conduct Authority had been notified.
Witnesses described the police chase as 'scary'.
Tracey Cooper was driving home from work when she saw a speeding red Holden coming directly towards her on the wrong side of Roscommon Road.
She had time to pull over as the car passed, followed by police cars "flying" at about 90km/h in a 50km/h zone.
"There are two schools, and there were still kids playing out on the road.
"It was lucky that it wasn't earlier because there would've been heaps of kids out there. It's a bit scary to think about actually."
