Attempted murder charges for shooting at elderly couple

File photo / Greg Bowker

Attempted murder charges have been laid against three men accused of shooting at an elderly couple as they were robbing their home near Huntly.

The couple found an unknown car parked in the driveway of their Glen Massey home when they returned from holiday yesterday, police report.

They approached the vehicle, thinking it was their house-sitter's, and found it loaded with their possessions.

Huntly sub-area manager Senior Sergeant Pete Simpson said three men ran out of the house and began to drive away with the stolen property.

As the woman went to get the car's registration number, a rifle taken in the buglary was fired at her, he said.

He said the couple's quick phone call to police with accurate details on the cars registration number, description and direction led to the men's arrest.

"A mobile police patrol on Rotowaro Rd recognised the car travelling towards him at speed, heading to Huntly, and the officer initiated a pursuit."

Road spikes were laid out and the escaping car was stopped on Jesmond St, outside Ngaruawahia Police Station, said Mr Simpson.

"Property thrown from the vehicle during the pursuit included the firearm taken in the Glen Massey burglary and also items taken from an earlier break-in in Waingaro."

The men, aged 25, 27 and 33 were arrested and charged with a offences including attempted murder.

They are scheduled to appear in the Hamilton District Court this morning.

- NZ HERALD STAFF