Three arrests made after a police officer, a man kidnapped in Far North, was shot

Three people have been arrested in connection with a “violent” kidnapping and shooting of a policewoman in the Far North in October.

The first incident took place on October 26 when a man was allegedly abducted at gunpoint on State Highway 10 near Waipapa.

During an information appeal, police said the man was forced into the trunk of his own car and shot as he ran away, “absolutely terrified.”

Before escaping, the man was taken to an ATM in Kerikeri, where he was forced to give his PIN and his bank account was emptied, police said.

The second incident, which was allegedly linked, occurred around 4 a.m. on October 27 when a car pulled up in front of a police officer and stopped in the middle of the road on SH11, near the intersection with SH10. .

Before the officer could get out of her patrol car, two men got out of her vehicle and fired at the officer’s car, police said.

Detective Inspector Rhys Johnston said police had carried out search warrants in Northland, Auckland, Tokoroa and Te Awamutu over the past two days.

“As a result of these orders, the police [have] he recovered several firearms and has now brought charges against three men, all members of the Rebeldes gang. “

A 44-year-old man has been charged with kidnapping, aggravated robbery, arson, use of a firearm against a police officer and participation in an organized criminal group.

He is due to appear in Hamilton District Court on Wednesday.

A 26-year-old man has been charged with the same and will appear in Tokoroa District Court on Wednesday.

A 38-year-old man appeared in Manukau District Court on Tuesday for non-drug and firearms charges and will appear in court on the same charges as the other two in the near future.

Johnston said police were determined to hold those allegedly responsible for the “senseless and violent crime.”

“We hope that today’s arrests provide both victims with a degree of comfort and reassurance.”