Emergency operator helps woman escape armed intruder

A woman made coffee and chatted to a 111 operator as if she was speaking to a friend while an armed man stood beside her in her home this morning.

The operator kept the conversation going with the pregnant woman by asking about her preparations for the baby and her house-hunting plans for that afternoon.

Meanwhile, she was also asking where in the house the woman and the intruder were, whether he was currently armed and what his state of mind was, as well as other details that police hiding outside the property in Papakura, Auckland, needed in order to make an arrest.

The woman, who is eight months pregnant, was trapped with the offender after he returned to the property where it is alleged he had earlier assaulted his ex-partner - the woman's flatmate.

Police also say he had threatened the ex-partner with a firearm.

When he returned, the pregnant woman called police and an operator from the Northern Communications Centre called her back on her cellphone posing as a friend.

As this was continuing, the offender stood in the kitchen while the woman made him a drink and kept him calm.

Armed police were outside with the Police Eagle Helicopter keeping observation overhead.

A short time later, the pregnant woman's partner arrived and the pair managed to escape the house where they were directed to a safe area by police.

Once the offender realised police were outside he made his way out to the deck with his hands raised and gave himself up, police said.

Inspector Barry Smalley said the police communicator's role was vital in allowing police to work out what action was needed.

He said: "This was a situation where we had the Armed Offenders Squad on standby, and it could have become very serious for the offender. But because we had a direct line in to what was happening in the house, we were able to ascertain that an AOS callout was no longer necessary, and to apprehend the offender without force."

- NZHERALD STAFF