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Northland police are trying to determine if a vehicle stolen in a nighttime hijacking is the same one that two men were driving when they fired on an officer early Tuesday morning.
The shooting was a random attack on a police officer, who was driving on State Highway 11, near the Puketona crossing, when she was stopped by a car in front of her at around 4.15 a.m.
Before the sheriff could get out of her car, two men got out of her vehicle and shot the officer as she was driving back to safety, Northland District Inspector Detective Dene Begbie said.
DENISE PIPER / Things
Police searched near Matauri Bay after a kidnapping, believed to be related to the shooting early Tuesday morning.
A kidnapping from Waipapa late Monday night may have been linked to the shooting, and later Tuesday morning, the Armed Criminal Squad was called up a block near Matauri Bay, north of Kerikeri.
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The kidnapping was reported to police around 8 a.m. Tuesday after the male victim approached a Matauri Bay property asking for help.
DENISE PIPER / Things
Police at the search site near Matauri Bay, north of Kerikeri, Tuesday morning.
“Fortunately, this man was not seriously injured during the incident and he is speaking with us to determine a full set of circumstances,” Begbie said.
The man is not known to have gang affiliation, but police are unsure whether the incidents are gang-related or not, he said.
The vehicle owned by the victim, a gray 2010 Nissan Skyline, was found on fire on Puketotara Rd near Okaihau at around 4.50am Tuesday.
All three incidents are in the north central area, 15 minutes from Kerikeri.
Denise Piper / Things
Detective Inspector Dene Begbie, Northland District Crime Manager, says police are extremely concerned about the shooting.
Police are still working to establish whether the vehicle stolen in the hijacking was the same vehicle used in the shooting on State Highway 11, as that vehicle is believed to be a silver or gray sedan.
Both occupants who got out are believed to be male, masked, and solidly built, Begbie said.
Anyone with information or sightings of the Nissan Skyline with the MWD839 registration, or any gray or silver sedan in the area at the time, should contact Kerikeri Police at 105.
Armed criminal squad invades Matauri Bay area
At least six police cars, including a squad of dogs and more than a dozen members of the Armed Criminal Squad, participated in the search near Matauri Bay on Tuesday.
The area includes part of a dairy farm, rural houses, shrubs and rural businesses.
It is understood that the police did not find the criminals they were looking for and no arrests have been made.
Police were at the scene for about three hours, but appeared to have finished their examination at 1:45 p.m.
Denise Piper / Things
The area near Matauri Bay includes a dairy farm and rural houses.
Police shoot ‘extremely serious incident’
When the officer was shot, the district commander, Superintendent Tony Hill, said she immediately left, but a shot was fired at the police car, smashing the windshield.
“Fortunately, our officer was not injured, and they quickly left the scene and called for reinforcements.”
The criminals escaped and a team is working to locate them and the car they believe is involved in the “extremely serious incident.”
Hill said it was a “great relief” that the officer was not injured, but that the incident showed how unpredictable and dangerous the job could be.
New Zealand Police / Supplied
Superintendent Tony Hill said he was lucky that the police officer who was shot was not injured. (File photo)
“It is completely unacceptable for someone to shoot a police officer in this way, and we are very lucky that they were not seriously injured or worse.
“We will do everything possible to locate these criminals and hold them accountable.”
Hill said people needed to remember that police officers had families they left behind when they went to work.
“They do this to keep our communities safe and the last thing they deserve is to be shot.”
The Vice President of the Police Association, Marcia Murray, said she was “extremely relieved” that the officer had not been injured.
“It is such a serious incident. It is not only difficult for the member involved, but for everyone, one of our members and their families. “
Murray said police went to work every day to do their job and the incident was an “unwanted” reminder of the dangers of firearms in the hands of criminals.
He said the bailiff would be receiving whatever support could be offered.
The association had reached out and was supporting those involved, he said.
The incident closed a section of SH11 from Puketona Junction to Haruru until shortly after 8 a.m.
Before it reopened, a staff member at a nearby cafe said motorists weren’t being let down by Puketona Rd / SH11.
Anyone with information about the incident should contact Kerikeri Police at 105.
Alternatively, the information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
