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An incident where a Northland police officer was shot this morning could be related to an attempted kidnapping in the Bay of Islands area last night.
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The officer was unharmed and police continue to search for the assailants. Source: Breakfast
In a statement, police said they were investigating the kidnapping in addition to an investigation into the incident in which two men shot an officer near the Puketona crossing this morning.
The kidnapping incident, which occurred near Waipapa last night, was reported to police at approximately 8 a.m. after the male victim approached a Matauri Bay property asking for help.
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The incident took place on State Highway 11, shortly after 4 a.m. on October 27. Source: 1 NEWS
The man was not seriously injured in the incident.
“The Armed Criminal Squad was deployed to the Matauri Bay area as a precautionary measure given the seriousness with which the police are treating these matters,” said Investigations Manager Detective Inspector Dene Begbie.
Police have located a vehicle of interest related to the hijacking attempt, Detective Inspector Dene Begbie said.
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Motorists are told to avoid the area. Source: Breakfast
The gray 2010 Nissan Skyline caught fire on Puketotara Road near Okaihau at around 4.50am this morning.
“We are still working to establish whether the vehicle involved in the hijacking matter was the same one that was used in the incident on State Highway 11,” Detective Inspector Begbie said.
“As we are still establishing the circumstances of this incident, the police are limited to further comment at this stage.”
Investigators were pursuing a number of lines of investigation related to the shooting, police said in a statement.
The police officer withdrew immediately after a shot was fired at the vehicle, damaging the windshield, during the incident this morning. Source: Police media.
The shooting happened around 4.13 a.m. this morning when a car stopped in front of a police vehicle on State Highway 11 near the Puketona junction with State Highway 10.
Police say two men jumped from the vehicle with firearms, fired at the police vehicle and damaged the windshield before the officer could get out of the car.
“Both occupants who emerged are believed to be male, masked, and solidly built.”
Detective Inspector Begbie said support was being offered to the officer who was shot.
“They are understandably shocked by the incident and commend the actions this officer took to ensure his own safety,” he said.
