Police have caught an "extremely dangerous" man who was on the run after he allegedly threatened two officers with a firearm on Friday.
Ricky Batalliard is suspected of attempting to commit two aggravated robberies in South Auckland.
A police source confirmed he was apprehended in the Waikato township of Mercer early this morning, after an armed standoff at a petrol station.
Police late last night closed the Waikato Expressway near Mercer - disrupting the travel plans of hundreds of motorists.
"I can confirm Ricky Batalliard is no longer wanted by police and is in custody. As he will be facing charges before the courts there isn't really much more we can say at this stage," a police spokeswoman said.