Man knocks gun from fleeing driver's hand in Glen Innes.
Footage has emerged of the dramatic arrest of an armed man driving erratically in Glen Innes, which left one person in a serious condition.
A police spokesperson said a motorist was seen speeding on the Southern Motorway yesterday evening weaving in and out of traffic. He then refused to stop for officers.
“With the assistance of Eagle helicopter to track, the vehicle came to a stop in Glen Innes and the driver was arrested.”
The dramatic video shows a black car driving on the grass in a reserve near Leybourne Circle.
The car suddenly speeds up towards armed police officers parked on the street, who shield themselves behind police vehicles.
A man then runs up to the driver’s side of the car, battling the driver as the car lurches forward.
The man snatches an assault rifle off the driver through the car window and throws it into bushes in the opposite direction.
Ten armed police officers, one with a police dog, then descend on the car, and the shirtless driver steps out of the vehicle and lies on the ground to be taken into custody.
Tāmaki Makaurau road policing manager Inspector Juliet Burgess said just after 7.30pm a vehicle was detected being driven at “excessive speed” on the motorway near East Tāmaki.
“The vehicle had been driven incredibly dangerously, weaving in and out of traffic at high speed,” she said.
“The Police Eagle helicopter was deployed to the area and began tracking the vehicle, providing commentary to ground units as it exited the Southern Motorway before entering and exiting again.”
Police arrested a man in Glen Innes. Photo / Hayden Woodward
Eagle observed the vehicle stopping in Glen Innes, and while the vehicle stopped a firearm was seen inside the vehicle.
Burgess said the driver pointed the firearm out the window of the vehicle while taking off at speed.
“The vehicle then mounted the footpath, drove through a wooden fence, and entered into a reserve where the driver continued to drive in an anti-social fashion.
“As armed police arrived on the scene, he allegedly pointed the firearm in their direction, causing obvious concern for the staff involved.”
Family members of the offender were on the scene and tried to engage with him.
“One of those known to him managed to take the firearm out of his possession, as police staff approached and took him into custody.
“It was very evident to staff that the man was under the influence of substances throughout the course of his offending.”
Police recovered an AR-15 style assault rifle, as well as a large amount of ammunition from inside the vehicle.
A 31-year-old Head Hunters gang associate was scheduled to appear in the Auckland District Court today facing a host of charges including unlawfully possessing a prohibited firearm, unlawfully possessing a prohibited magazine, presenting a firearm, reckless driving and failing to stop.
Burgess said other charges could not be ruled out.
“This was an extremely dangerous series of events that could have led to serious injury or worse,” she said.
“I am so proud of all the officers involved who through a well-co-ordinated approach were able to put a stop to the man’s offending and bring this matter to a safe conclusion.”
