A bedside court hearing has been held for the man accused of extortion at a Paihia bank shortly before he was critically injured in a high-speed crash.
The 22-year-old, who is under police guard in Whangārei Hospital, was charged with kidnapping, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of a pistol and dangerous driving.
The Tribesmen gang member and his 35-year-old partner allegedly made another man withdraw money from an ATM at the Paihia branch of the ASB about 10.30am on Monday. Alert bank staff notified police using a silent alarm.
The alleged offenders left the scene in separate vehicles. The woman was caught shortly afterwards when police vehicles boxed in her Audi next to the Countdown store on Paihia's Williams Rd.
Police say they found two loaded firearms, one of them a pistol, when they searched her vehicle.