Armed woman points gun at Rotorua police, then steals patrol car and star

An armed woman pointed a gun at police officers and then stole their patrol car before crashing in Rotorua tonight, police say.

A police spokesman said in a statement that a woman approached officers in Whakarewarewa around 9 p.m.

He reportedly pointed a gun at the police, who withdrew on foot.

The woman drove off in her police car and crashed it shortly afterward on Wahiao Drive, the spokesperson said.

“The woman was arrested a short distance away and detained, and the firearm was recovered.”

During the incident, armed police officers could be seen manning a cordon on nearby Sala Street.

A photographer at the scene said there was a cordon on Sala St and that traffic was being diverted onto McIntyre Ave.

A woman was taken from the scene in a police car.

Meanwhile, a vehicle crashed into a gate tonight in Whakarewarewa Village, a few blocks from the police cordon.

One man, who did not want to be identified, said he arrived in town minutes after the drama unfolded.

“All I know is that they went through the pā, through the door, turned, fell again, hit a woman’s car, hit the wall next to the marae, got into another car and took off.”

Police said the two incidents appear to be related.