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Waikato police say they do not yet know if they will charge a farmer who fired two warning shots over the heads of two men he caught allegedly stealing petrol from his Morrinsville farm.
Police arrested the two men and charged them after they were restrained by the farmer and an associate who came to his aid early on Monday morning.
Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Nicholls, of Waikato CIB, said the two Hamilton men were confronted by the farmer who was armed with a shotgun, and his wife, allegedly stealing petrol on Monday night.
The pair tried to flee in a car but their exit was blocked by the farmer's vehicle. They then reversed a short distance and a warning shot was fired by the farmer.
"The vehicle has then moved forward and a second warning shot has been fired," Mr Nicholls said.
"The offenders were told by the farmer to get out of the car and lay on the ground, which they complied with.
"The pair were then restrained by an associate of the farmer, who had come to his assistance."
The two men were due to appear in Hamilton District Court later this month.
"At this time it is way too early to comment on what, if any, charges may result in relation to actions taken in the apprehension of the men," said Mr Nicholls.
"We're still looking at a wide range of issues."
Several locals said the farmer did what many burglary victims and farmers wanted to do and he would get a lot of support.
- NZPA
