Dargaville Police have made arrests and seized firearms following a road rage incident in the Kaipara district.
An investigation has been underway since the incident occurred on the evening of 25 June in Mahuta.
“Residents encountered dirt bikes doing burnouts and being disruptive,” Whangārei-Kaipara Area Commander Inspector Maria Nordstrom says.
“A dispute occurred between some residents and riders when they were asked to leave the area and these requests were ignored.”
Initially both groups went their separate ways, however Inspector Nordstrom says the incident escalated when the group returned to the area.
“Two people arrived at the driveway of a property and were allegedly carrying firearms at the time.”
No firearms were discharged, but Police were contacted and attended the scene.
Inspector Nordstrom says enquiries resulted in five search warrants being carried out last week.
“Dargaville Police were assisted by their district colleagues, with members from the Offender Prevention Team, CIB and a detector dog assisting with the operation,” she says.
Four addresses and one vehicle were searched on Wednesday.
“Three people were arrested, with three firearms also being seized as part of our enquiries,” Inspector Nordstrom says.
“Those firearms included a shotgun and two rifles.”
A 36-year-old man has since appeared in the Whangārei District Court on a charge of intentional damage and a firearms offence.
He has been remanded in custody to reappear on 28 July.
A 32-year-old woman also appeared in court on a charge of behaving threateningly.
Meanwhile, a 43-year-old man is due to appear in the same court next week on two driving offences.
“Our investigation is continuing into the events of 25 June, so this is by no means over,” Inspector Nordstrom says.
“There is no place for violence or intimidation in our community, and if this does occur expect Police to be paying you a visit.”
