King Country fugitive arrested

Te Rangi Trangmar. Photo / NZ Police

Police this morning arrested a man after a series of firearm incidents in the King Country over the past three days.

In one incident a man had a shotgun pointed at his head as the offender tried to steal a motorbike.

He then allegedly stole a quad bike from an Otewa farm and rode it to a house on Ireland Rd where he threatened a woman with a firearm.

The latest incident saw the man walk into a Waitomo bar, pull out a pistol and demand cash from the shocked publican before three men wrestled him to the ground.

However, the man wriggled free and escaped on the quad bike, which was recovered early yesterday morning.

Senior Sergeant Rob Van Kalken said police arrested 24-year-old Te Rangi Trangmar, from Otorohanga, about 3am at Te Anga.

"A patrol located near the small Waitomo settlement noticed a light on at the rear of the Te Anga Tavern shortly after midnight, confirmation came through that no one should be in there and an assessment was done resulting in a silent cordon being set up around the building," he said.

"About 3am someone was seen coming out of the rear of the building and when approached by armed Police was found to be our offender and he gave himself up without incident."

Mr Van Kalkan said the man was assessed by ambulance staff and found to be in good health.

He thanked the public for their co-operation.

- NZHERALD STAFF