Armed callout over imitation pistol

The armed offenders squad in action in Kakariki Ave after reports of a domestic dispute. Picture / Jeanette Grant

A man was facing charges last night after an armed offenders squad callout in Epsom, Auckland, which appears to have been triggered by a case of "the green-eyed monster".

Police were called to a house in the suburb at about 12.30pm after witnesses reported a domestic dispute.

Senior Sergeant Matt Rogers said it appeared a man pointed a pistol into the face of another man following a dispute about a woman. "I think it was a bit of the green-eyed monster taking place from what I understand."

A pistol was found but it turned out to be an imitation firearm.

Mr Rogers said police arrived to see a car that was wanted in connection with a shooting in the same road as the domestic. That, combined with the threat of the man pointing the pistol, led to the armed offenders squad being called in to help.

Kakariki Ave resident Jeanette Grant said she heard a police helicopter circling overhead after midday.

She went outside to see black 4WD vehicles, belonging to the armed offenders squad, parked across the road, blocking cars from entering.

Motorists at the Mt Eden traffic lights were also diverted from a busy stretch of Balmoral Rd that goes past Kakariki Ave.

Mrs Grant went inside to get a camera and returned to see a member of the armed offenders squad kneeling over a handcuffed man who was lying face down on the ground.

Later Mrs Grant said she could hear police calling to someone in the house on a loudspeaker, saying they had a search warrant and that the house was surrounded.

Senior Sergeant Donovan Clarke said a man was taken away for questioning by police. He was expected to face firearm-related charges.

"There was no danger to the public," said Mr Clarke. "It was a good end to a job that could have potentially escalated into something a lot more serious."