Police praise public help in capture of fugitive

William (Wiremu) Morris

Public help played a significant part in the dawn capture of a man who had been on the run for several months, police said today.

William (Wiremu) Morris was arrested after surrendering quietly to the armed offenders squad (AOS) at an Auckland house.

He was due to appear in Waitakere District Court this afternoon on a number of charges, including kidnapping, firearms offences and assault.

Morris, 33, gave himself up about 6am in the suburb of Avondale after a verbal appeal from the AOS. No shots were fired.

Detective Senior Sergeant John Sutton said Morris was wanted by police in the Waitakere, Auckland Central and Northland districts "for some months".

But his alleged offending had become more serious over the past several weeks, increasing police concern.

"That's why we are happy the matter has been resolved and he gave himself up to the armed offenders squad," Mr Sutton said.

Since publicity about Morris a fortnight ago, police had been aided by "some excellent work by the public".

Mr Sutton said there had been plenty of sightings reported of Morris, who has a distinctive full facial moko, even if some of the reports, while well intended, turned out to be of the wrong people.

Help from a member of the public, who yesterday identified a Subaru Legacy vehicle that Morris was driving, led police to the Avondale address.

Early this morning, a police patrol saw the vehicle in the driveway and the AOS was called out.

Mr Sutton said Morris did not have any firearms in his possession, but there were firearms in the vehicle.

He said three or four other adults and some children were in the house at the time.

He could not say yet whether the other adults, who were being interviewed by police, would face charges or what their relationship with Morris was.

Mr Sutton said a warrant was issued for Morris' arrest some weeks ago when he failed to appear in a Northland court on an assault charge.

Since then, he had apparently been moving from address to address, staying only short times at each.

- NZPA