Atanoa court appearance postponed

Dangerous and dying fugitive Tifiga Atanoa made a brief court appearance in court cells today when his behaviour ruled out an appearance in the courtroom at the Manukau District Court.

Police said he was too badly behaved to be taken into the south Auckland court and was remanded in custody to appear again on Monday during a hearing in his court cell.

Armed police arrested the patched gang member late last night after he was surprised and put up little resistance after evading police for 12 days.

Atanoa, who does not have long to live because of his cancer, had failed to appear in court on firearms and driving charges.

Police were worried he would use firearms, he was known to have, after he told associates he would not be taken by police and would continue to offend until he died.

Police said he had been using firearms to rob other gang members of drugs for the methamphetamine drug P. He was thought to have been taking two grams a day.

They said Atanoa had terminal cancer which had produced a large growth on his neck for which he was not being treated.

Detective Senior Sergeant Neil Grimstone, who headed the hunt for Atanoa, said he would appear again on Monday with two others arrested and charged with helping him evade capture. Another person would appear on Wednesday.

He said no shots were fired when Atanoa was arrested last night in Mangere.

"He was taken at gunpoint without incident."

He said it was difficult to say if an emotional plea from his mother Nia Atanoa for him to surrender had helped in his capture.

He said Atanoa was compliant when confronted by armed police.

"He had very little option. The armed offenders squad took him."

He said Atanoa may have been surprised to see police.

"But I think he was expecting us at some stage."

Atanoa was not carrying firearms when he was arrested.

"We are still searching a number of houses and cars and stuff. He didn't have one (a firearm) on him, no."

Mr Grimstone said the incident ended the way police wanted it to end with no shots being fired and with no one being hurt.

He said Atanoa would get medical treatment but that was up to the Department of Corrections.

Mr Grimstone said police were confident they did not overreact to the danger Atanoa posed and the deployment of armed police was justified.

"No question, no question about it. You just have to look at his behaviour, what does that tell you.

"He never got into court. The hearing was in the cell block and there's a message there isn't there?" Mr Grimstone said.

- NZPA