Woman faces firearms charges

A woman is facing firearms charges following the third police armed offenders callout in Nelson in four days.

The 58-year-old Nelson woman was charged with unlawfully possessing a firearm, unlawful possession of pepper spray, and possession of ammunition after the callout to an Atawhai Drive house last night.

The armed offenders squad cordoned off the area at 10pm and traffic was stopped for two hours after reports the woman was damaging property and in possession of a loaded firearm.

Senior Sergeant Stu Koefoed of Nelson police said the woman was arrested just before midnight without incident after negotiations with police.

She was to appear in Nelson District Court today.

Mr Koefoed expressed concern at the recent number of armed offenders incidents, which he believed stemmed from a combination of stress and people drinking excessive amounts of alcohol.

An area of Tahunanui was cordoned off for about three hours on Monday night after police were called by residents who thought they heard shots being fired.

The AOS used teargas to help them arrest a 35-year-old Nelson man who is now facing nine charges including threatening to kill, assaulting a woman, intentional damage, carrying an air rifle and possessing explosives.

He appeared in court and was remanded in custody until next month.

A 24-year-old Nelson man was also arrested on Monday night following a separate incident in the city.

David Allan Falamoe, 24, was charged with unlawfully presenting an airgun. He appeared in court and was remanded in custody without plea until January 31.

- NZPA