Fugitive sighted in Featherston

Police cordon off a Featherston house after a possible sighting of wanted man Califf Anthony Dickson. PHOTO/HAYLEY GASTMEIER

A possible sighting of a fugitive thought to be armed led police to surround a house and put up a cordon in Featherston yesterday afternoon.

A Boundary Rd house was cordoned off and the armed offenders squad called out after a possible sighting of Featherston man Califf Anthony Dickson.

On Friday, police issued a statement asking for the public's help to track down the 24-year-old, who is believed to be armed.

Wellington police district command centre's Sergeant Wade Fale said police had recognised a car seen in Featherston and, believing Dickson may have been in it, had stopped the vehicle.

The car had pulled into a property and stopped but was out of sight for a few seconds, Mr Fale said.

Police cordoned off the house and requested the armed offenders squad be dispatched from Wellington as a precaution.

"They had the place cordoned and believed that he was in there but after they got the other occupants out, they were informed that he had run off before the cordon was in place."

As the risk had gone down, the armed offenders squad was stood down before reaching Featherston, he said.

A dog handler had been deployed in the area around the house, but had failed to find Dickson.

Dickson is wanted on a Corrections matter and is described as European, 184cm tall and of medium build, with distinctive tattoos on the right side of his neck and on the back of both hands.

Police said he should not be approached.

He has links to Lower Hutt, Kapiti and Wairarapa, and police believe he is likely to be in the greater Wellington area.

Police also want to speak to Dickson on an unrelated matter that happened in Masterton on January 13.

Anyone with information regarding Dickson should call Masterton police on (06) 370 0378, or alternatively call anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Sightings of Dickson should be reported on 111.