Barnstorming police arrest fugitive who led Armed Offenders Squad into remote forestry block

The incident unfolded on Tuesday afternoon as a driver evaded Police, fleeing into a forestry block.

A man who fled from police into a Central Hawke’s Bay forestry block has been arrested 24 hours later after he was found hiding in an unused barn.

The man, who was subject to several warrants to arrest, fled police and ditched his car on Monday afternoon, heading into trees near Wimbledon.

He was followed into the remote forestry block by police dog handlers and the Armed Offenders Squad, which attended as a precaution.

Tararua Police initially spotted the driver heading north from Dannevirke on Monday afternoon. The vehicle was followed through Takapau and along back roads and then onto Route 52 towards Wimbledon where the driver encountered engine trouble.

He ditched the vehicle as police approached.

A search into the evening failed to find the man, but police were redeployed after a sighting of the fugitive near Franklin Rd on Tuesday morning.

He was located hiding in a barn and arrested without incident.

The 35-year-old will appear in the Palmerston North District Court tomorrow, facing charges of failing to stop and driving while disqualified.