Police are on the hunt for Tama Michael Rawhiti after a patrol car was stolen at gunpoint during a breath alcohol checkpoint in Ohakune.
Police are on the hunt for Tama Michael Rawhiti after a patrol car was stolen at gunpoint during a breath alcohol checkpoint in Ohakune.
Police are continuing their manhunt for Tama Michael Rawhiti after a police car was stolen at gunpoint in Ohakune at the weekend.
Armed staff spent yesterday searching multiple properties in and around Ohakune to find 33-year-old Rawhiti after Saturday night's armed robbery.
Central District Commander, Superintendent Chris de Wattignar saidtwo officers had stopped a vehicle in Wye St for a breath test about 10.20pm and were talking to the driver when a man who was partly hidden in the back seat got out and pointed a gun at them.
While holding them at gunpoint the man, and another female passenger, got into the patrol car and drove away.
"It's an absolute priority to locate this man – 33-year-old Tama Michael Rawhiti.
"Residents in the Ohakune area will continue to notice an increased Police presence and we'd like to thank them for their patience and support of our staff.
"We'd also like to remind them that this man is thought to have a firearm so he should not be approached."
Officers involved in Saturday's incident were shaken but unhurt, he said.
