Armed fugitive arrested in Kaimai raid

An armed offenders squad raid in the Kaimai Range this morning saw an armed fugitive arrested.

Waikato, Rotorua and Auckland police were involved in the arrest of a 44-year-old man at a rural property on State Highway 29 in the Kaimai Range early today.

District Crime Manager, Detective Karl Thornton said the man was allegedly the president of a rogue chapter of the Mongrel Mob and it was believed he posed a danger to the public.

"He was wanted on active warrants to arrest for kidnapping and aggravated robbery offences dating back to August of last year," he said.

"This man was at the centre of a search of a Matamata property last month where Police located a hidden cavity in a house with a Police radio scanner inside."

Mr Thornton said it was a warning to organised criminal groups who thought they could intimidate police through sheer numbers.

"Those involved in the arrest had no doubt of the risks they were facing when the man was arrested in possession of a loaded firearm and illicit drugs.

"The public and the independent, anonymous Crimestoppers played an important part in today's arrest, relaying important information to us."

A man has been charged with aggravated robbery, kidnapping and unlawful possession of a firearm and will appear in the Hamilton District Court today.