KEY POINTS:
The Morrinsville farming family at the centre of a police investigation over an armed confrontation with two would-be petrol thieves are religious, community-minded people who are known for their generosity.
Although neighbours are surprised that a Bonnar family member used a shotgun, they back the action and believe it would not have been done with an intention to harm.
The intruders tried to take petrol from the Bonnar family farm, Kiwitahi Lands, early on Monday morning.
But a recently installed alarm alerted the household and a male member of the family confronted the pair with the shotgun.
He fired two warning shots, and police arrived a short time later to make arrests.
Now one of the Bonnars is also facing a police investigation, with charges a possibility.
The Bonnars own a large farm just outside Morrinsville. The main part of the farm is occupied by Fred and Diann Bonnar, who are responsible for setting up at least four of their sons - Allan, Earl, Lloyd, and Trent - in the dairy business.
Lloyd Bonnar and his wife Katrina run their operation from an adjacent piece of land, as does Allan. Earl and Trent run farms nearby. The area has recently been the target of repeated thefts and burglaries.
Yesterday Diann Bonnar said the family had decided against speaking to the media, on the advice of police. However, neighbours rallied yesterday to speak in their support.
Drystock farmer Janice White said "they wouldn't point a shotgun, they'd rather flap a Bible". She believed the warning shots would have been fired well away from anyone and would have been used as a means of bringing the thieves into line.
"They are the most good-hearted people in the district. They donate to everything. They have a contracting business and the money you pay for silage they donate so much to the [Kiwitahi] school."
Mrs White said the family had been in the area at least as long as she had, about 35 years.
Dairy farmer Ian Baillee echoed Mrs White's sentiments. "They are very family-oriented people and are outstanding members of the community."
They hosted the annual Rally - an event organised for children in the district, where their swimming pool was used and fishing trips organised, culminating in a big barbecue.
Closest neighbour Kelvin Cook said the area had been a target for thieves and burglars. Of his five seasons in the district, he had been "done over" in four of them.
In 2004, Mr Cook pointed an airgun at a group of people who threatened him and his partner. He said the resulting charges against him were eventually dropped, but not before he spent $10,000 on legal bills.
He predicted the Bonnars would face a similar scenario, "because the police have to be seen to be not condoning that type of thing".
The arrested men will appear in Hamilton District Court on Tuesday on burglary charges.
