Fugitive reported sighted in Russell

Armed police have rushed to the Bay of Islands town of Russell this morning after a reported sighting of dangerous fugitive Nathan Fenton.

Fenton, 31, is wanted in connection with the brutal slaying of his 17-year-old girlfriend Mairina Dunn.

She was beaten with a blunt instrument for more than an hour and a half in her house in the Whangarei suburb of Otangarei house on August 27.

Police said today there had been a reported sighting of Fenton near Russell today and armed police had been sent to the area.

The Auckland police helicopter Eagle was also on its way to the scene.

"We are looking for him around that Russell peninsula," said Inspector Andy Brill from the police northern communications centre in Auckland.

Earlier today police said someone might be harbouring the Black Power gang member.

Detective Senior Sergeant Marty Ruth said he was armed and dangerous and should not be approached.

He said police had had a number of sightings of Fenton and "we are happy we are on the button".

Fenton was believed to have been driving a black BMW which sped past Northland man Laurie Kerr-Bell near Russell earlier today.

Mr Kerr-Bell told NZPA he was driving into Russell to get new tyres for his car when the black BMW sped past him travelling in the opposite direction on the old Russell Road.

He said the driver was wearing a balaclava on his head but not pulled down over his face.

"He cut the corner on me and I nearly got sideswiped."

He said a minute or so later as he topped a rise, he was stopped by a policeman.

"I thought he was waving out but he put two hands up for me to stop.

"I thought there was something wrong and I said, 'black BMW going like hell.'

"He said 'yeah, thank you'," Mr Kerr-Bell said.

He said the policeman took off after the BMW.

He said the man driving the BMW had a "bit of a beard and long hair. He was travelling at least 80km/h which was too fast for that road.

"He was going fast, at a hell of a rate.

"He was in a big hurry."

He said locals travelled no more than 60-70km/h on the road.

Former Herald photographer Ross White said three schools had gone into lock-down with police on site and children and staff kept inside.

There were also road blocks in place with people being stopped from entering or leaving the area.

"The whole area from Oakura to Cape Brett has basically been closed off," Mr White said.

Meanwhile, Marty Ruth said Ms Dunn's family was "getting on with the grieving process".

"Naturally they're very, very upset and they're keen to know the inquiry is progressing and hopefully soon I can actually bring it to a conclusion."

- NZPA, HERALD STAFF