Dying fugitive caught

The armed, dangerous and dying fugitive who had promised not to be taken by police, has been caught.

Mongrel Mob member Tifiga Atanoa, who is dying from lymph node cancer, was caught by police last night at a Mangere address in south Auckland without any shots being fired and without anyone being hurt.

Police have released few details but said it was a good result and the result they had always wanted with no one being hurt.

Police said Atanoa, who had a very short life span because of his terminal cancer, had told numerous people he would not be taken by police and would continue to offend until he died.

He was known to be armed with at least one pump action shotgun and police said he was fuelling his massive methamphetamine habit by taking two grams of P a day.

He was considered to be highly dangerous and not to be approached and police were highly concerned frontline patrols would encounter Atanoa and face a violent and potentially fatal confrontation.

His parents issued an emotional plea yesterday for him to put down his guns and surrender before he was shot by police.

His mother Nia Atanoa, 58, said she felt anger and shame at what he was doing.

On Thursday police visited the family and told them Atanoa could be shot if he did not surrender.

Detective Senior Sergeant Neil Grimstone, who headed the hunt for Atanoa said Atanoa had been using guns to commit crimes against fellow gang members to feed his drug habit.

Police had been putting extra pressure on the Mongrel Mob.

A 52-year-old Mangere man and 20 year old North Shore woman were also arrested and both have been charged with being an accessory after the fact. They and Atanoa will apeear in the Manukau District Court next week.

Yesterday a 28-year-old woman was arrested after police alleged she helped Atanoa avoid capture. She was charged with being an accessory after the fact and was due to appear in the Manukau District Court on Monday.

- NZPA, NZHERALD STAFF