Family violence incident sparks 50km pursuit, AOS callout

At about 7.24pm on Tuesday 26th of October, 2010, Rotorua Police were called to a domestic dispute at a rural property near Golden Springs, south of Rotorua.

As a result of the incident that was developing, the Rotorua-based Armed Offenders Squad (AOS) was engaged and Police staff established a cordon of the area.

Police staff from Taupo and Tokoroa were also called to assist in the incident.

Prior to the arrival at the scene by the AOS officers, the offender left the property in a Nissan Safari motor vehicle and refused to stop for a police checkpoint.

A Police pursuit then commenced and travelled through several rural roads and onto state highway one near Maroa before travelling onto a forestry haulage road. This pursuit was for about 50 kilometres and reached speeds up to 150 kilometres per hour.

During the pursuit the offender stopped his vehicle and deliberately tried to ram the pursuing officers, and on two separate occasions struck two police cars. One car was immobilised and had to withdraw from the chase. The other vehicle suffered minor damage.

The offender was chased by police and contained in an area of forestry roads near the Waikato river where he has eluded police by driving his vehicle into the river. He has then swum to a nearby bank and remained hidden.

The Rotorua AOS, supported by the Taupo Based Youth Town Trust rescue helicopter equipped with a night sun spotlight, searched for the offender, who was believed to be armed, for four hours.

The suspect was found shortly before 2am by AOS staff and arrested.

The offender will be appearing in the Tokoroa District Court today charged with driving and assaulting police charges.

"Family Violence incidents are a regular occurrence for Police and this incident shows how unpredictable and volatile situations can occur.

"Several Police cars suffered damage in the incident however no officers were hurt.

"It is unfortunate that these types of incidents are occurring with regularity and police will continue to take a strong stance on Family Violence offending."