21 Nov 2024

Driver faces firearms charges after Auckland car chase

2:20 pm on 21 November 2024
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Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

A man is facing charges after a car chase that ended with a family member taking a gun off a driver, police say.

They said a 31-year-old Head Hunters associate was speeding on the Southern Motorway near East Tamaki about 7.30pm on Wednesday.

An Eagle helicopter followed the car as it weaved in and out of traffic before it reached Glen Innes and drove through a fence.

Police allege the driver was carrying a gun but the standoff was defused when a family member took it off the man.

They say officers later found an assault rifle inside the car.

The man was due to appear in Auckland District Court Thursday on charges including unlawfully possessing a prohibited firearm, unlawfully possessing a prohibited magazine, presenting a firearm, reckless driving and failing to stop.

Man arrested after being tracked by Eagle helicopter

A man associated with the Mongrel Mob has been arrested for dangerous driving in Auckland on Wednesday night.

Police say the driver was speeding on the Southern Motorway near Greenlane just before 11.30pm.

Tāmaki Makaurau road policing manager Inspector Juliet Burgess said the car did a U-turn and drove the wrong way up a southbound on-ramp.

"No pursuit was initiated, but the police Eagle helicopter located the vehicle driving dangerously on the Mount Wellington Highway and through Ōtāhuhu."

At Drury the driver fled on foot and hid behind two large water tanks before being arrested by officers.

A 34-year-old man is facing several charges including reckless driving, resisting police and possession of a knife, Burgess said.