Captured fugitive to face 14 charges

Colin Rangi Robyn Kiriona. Photo / Supplied

An armed gang member who went on the run from police after a string of alleged assaults on his estranged partner will face 14 charges in court today.

Colin Kiriona, 25, was arrested by Waikato detectives and armed police at a rural property near Marton, 35km southeast of Wanganui, about 1.30pm yesterday.

Police had been hunting him since the woman fled a house in Hamilton where she had allegedly been held against her will and seriously assaulted over two days last week.

Kiriona also allegedly assaulted the woman and discharged a firearm at a Ngaruawahia address two to three weeks ago.

Detective Senior Sergeant Karl Thornton of Hamilton police said the woman had been subjected to "prolonged physical and psychological abuse".

Kiriona will appear in Hamilton District Court today charged with kidnapping, aggravated wounding, threatening to kill, assault with a blunt instrument, assault with intent to injure, and three counts of burglary.

A 19-year-old woman apprehended with Kiriona yesterday has not been charged.

"At this time no other person has been charged in relation to assisting this man while on the run, however, our enquiries are continuing," Mr Thornton said.

The level of resources police dedicated to capturing Kiriona was an indication of how seriously police treated the issues of domestic violence and organised crime, Mr Thornton said.

He said Kiriona's alleged victim had managed to escape and seek help, and encouraged all victims of domestic violence to so the same.

- NZPA