Charges likely for harbouring

Police are willing to press charges against anyone currently harbouring a fugitive who stabbed an officer.

Police say anyone who may be harbouring a man who allegedly stabbed a Kaitaia policeman may face charges. The warning comes after the Monday night stabbing of an officer who was making inquiries about a stolen car.

The policeman, who the Northern Advocate understands is a senior officer, arrived at Puriri Place, Kaitaia, at 9.30pm following reports of three men acting suspiciously around a stolen vehicle. When the officer went to arrest one of the men he was struck on the head, only realising a short time later he had been stabbed. Meanwhile, his partner tried to restrain the stabber's two associates, but the men broke away and ran off.

The stabbed officer was taken to Kaitaia Hospital then on to Whangarei Hospital, where he was discharged on Tuesday. Police are keeping quiet about the stabbing and would not say what the officer was stabbed with or where exactly on the head he was stabbed. Police were still searching for the main offender at edition time yesterday, though one of his alleged associates was arrested at a nearby house and charged with unlawfully getting into a vehicle.

Spokeswoman Sarah Kennett said police wanted to warn anyone who may be hiding the alleged offender that they may face charges and urged anyone who knew their whereabouts to contact Kaitaia police on 09 408 6500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.