Hunt for home invaders focuses on discarded clothing

Auckland police hunting for three men who forced their way into a house, holding the occupants hostage at gunpoint, are focusing their search on the clothing the men were wearing.

The three men, who had identified themselves as policemen, are on the run after the apparent hostage drama in east Auckland on Sunday morning.

Police chased two cars leaving an address in Highlands Park, Howick, 22km east of downtown Auckland, about 6.45am.

One car was stopped and the driver arrested but three people fled from the second car after it spun out of control.

Six people were found tied up and held hostage when police returned to the Highland Park address. One of the people suffered moderate injuries.

An Auckland police spokeswomen said the investigation - called Operation Highland - was focused on retrieving the clothing and other items the men dropped while escaping.

As the police chased the men, they stripped off as they ran away and members of the public were asked to be aware of any "unusual items of clothing" they might find in the area, she said.

The men had been wearing dark clothing and helmets, similar to motorbike helmets and had identified themselves as police, before they forced their way into the house, she said.

The dark clothing and bodygear, while not similar to a police uniform, was believed to have been intended to give the impression of belonging to the police, she said.

The family was shaken and it was not known if they intended to return to their home, she said.

- NZPA