Businessman kidnapped at gunpoint in case of mistaken identity wants armed invader behind bars

Police still want to hear from anyone who saw a silver 2017 Nissan X-Trail similar to this one, registration KQU365, that was caught up in a terrifying armed kidnapping on Monday. Photo / Supplied

The Canterbury businessman kidnapped at gunpoint in a shocking case of mistaken identity says his family is "good as gold" and now wants the armed invader behind bars.

Andrew Cameron, owner of family business Amuri Jet based at Hanmer Springs geothermal tourist town in North Canterbury, was pistol-whipped when a masked gunman burst into his home about 9.30pm Monday.

The Cameron family, including children, were held hostage in a room but one of the victims managed to sneak into another room and phone police.

Two police officers soon arrived at the home, with the Armed Offenders Squad being scrambled from Christchurch 130km away.

The gunman then forced a bloodied Cameron into a silver 2017 Nissan X-Trail belonging to one of his family members.

Just as they left the property, Cameron decided to leap from the moving vehicle and run in a desperate bid for his life.

The SUV crashed into a fence. Several shots were fired, police say, before the offender fled.

The Nissan X-Trail was found by police on Swanns Rd in the Christchurch suburb of Richmond on Wednesday. The gunman is still at large.

"It is possible the offender had others helping him," Canterbury rural area commander Inspector Peter Cooper said.

"We believe this incident was a case of mistaken identity and the victims were not the intended target of this attack," Cooper said.

"We acknowledge this was an incredibly distressing experience for those involved and are ensuring they are supported at this time."

Today, Cameron who required stitches in his head after the terrifying ordeal, was back at work.

He said officers have asked him not to comment while it's a live police investigation.

But he said his family was recovering well and now he wanted the perpetrators brought to justice.

"Everyone is good as gold," he told the Herald.

"I would like to catch the people. It's high on the [police] priorities but my family comes first."

Cooper said police are working hard to find "the person or people behind this hideous offending".

"We want to reassure the Hanmer Springs community that this incident is being taken very seriously," he said.

A forensic examination of the vehicle was completed yesterday.

Canterbury district commander Superintendent John Price today said the CIB team continues to follow "a number of leads".

"The main thing for us is the victims. We want to make sure we keep the public safe and bring this offender to justice," Price said.

Police still want to hear from anyone who saw the silver 2017 Nissan X-Trail, registration KQU365, between Hanmer Springs and Christchurch from 10pm Monday and Wednesday afternoon.

"We also want to talk to anyone who saw anything suspicious in the wider Hanmer Springs area between 8.30-10pm on Monday night," Cooper said.

If anyone has seen the SUV, or has information which might help police locate the offender or offenders, they are asked to call Christchurch Police on 03 363 7400. Information can also be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.