The man at the centre of a three hour-long stand-off with police in Hamilton this morning has given himself up after police flew an officer from Auckland, armed with a taser.
Acting Hamilton Area Commander Karen Henrikson said because Hamilton officers have not been issued with tasers, police officers were flown to Hamilton in the police helicopter from Auckland.
Once the tasers were pointed at the man, he gave himself up.
The man was taken into custody by six police officers, including two dog handlers.
Ms Henrikson said police were originally called after 8am when a woman reported that she had been followed by a man in a car.
"A marked patrol car has begun conducting area inquiries and an unmarked car with two CIB officers has joined them and stopped a silver Toyota station wagon on Delamere Rd, Pukete.
"As one of the CIB members spoke to the driver he became agitated and the officer has leant in to grab the car keys when the driver accelerated, dragging our staff member a short distance before crashing into a tree," Ms Henrikson said.
She said the man then ran down a track, chased by police officers, to the near-by Waikato River.
During the stand-off the 36 year-old man at times went into the river up to his waist and threatened police with two sticks.
"Given his violent nature and the terrain involved, using pepper spray was ruled out. Police dogs were also not an option as they were unable to gain a footing and in previous incidents we have actually lost dogs trying to affect an arrest," Ms Henrikson said.
The man was on the banks of the Waikato River and put his sticks down after the two Auckland officers aimed tasers at him.
The officer injured after being hit by the car is currently in a stable condition in Waikato Hospital.
Police are still interviewing the man and Ms Henrikson said the man could face a range of offences.
- NZ HERALD STAFF
