KEY POINTS:
An armed and dangerous man with a history of drug offending was being hunted last night after he fired shots towards four police officers in West Auckland.
Police have appealed for Richard Alan Duthie to come forward after the shootings on O'Neills Rd, Swanson, about 2.20am yesterday.
Duthie has been on the run since May 22, when he failed to appear in the High Court at Rotorua on charges resulting from a series of raids on Tauranga houses in which police found $84,000 worth of the drug P.
None of the officers was injured in yesterday's shooting. All were expected to return to duty last night.
Detective Inspector Steve Wood said the officers were shot at following a 5km police chase that began after a patrol pulled over the 2006 Holden Commodore Duthie was driving in Sturges Rd, Henderson. He drove off as police were checking his details.
The car became stuck when it crashed into a ditch on O'Neills Rd.
Another police car had arrived as back-up and, as the officers approached Duthie, he fired in their direction, Mr Wood said.
Less than six hours later the abandoned car - not registered in Duthie's name and not reported stolen - was found in Elwarth Way, Ranui, with its driver's window and rear window smashed.
Mr Wood said police were investigating how Duthie got hold of the car and how he left the scene.
He said the fugitive could now be anywhere in the North Island and police would contact his associates, friends and family in an effort to find him.
Police would not speculate on the weapon he used.
However, one of several residents who reported waking to sirens and gunshots, Kevin Donovan, said he believed it did not sound like a shotgun, the like of which was often fired in a nearby rural block.
"I presume it was a pistol," he said.
The officers shot at included a former British policeman who has been serving in New Zealand for just six months.
WANTED: ARMED AND DANGEROUS
* Richard Alan Duthie is European, aged 40, of medium to solid build, 175cm tall.
* Sandy-coloured hair and a mole on the right side of his nose.
* He should not be approached.
* Anyone who sees Duthie, or knows of his whereabouts, should call 111 or 0800-235-556.
