A Far North man will appear in court after allegedly assaulting a Police officer in a failed bid to evade arrest.
Frontline staff in Kaitaia responded to a report where a man had been violently assaulting a dog in a public park on Saturday morning.
“A unit arrived at the park on Melba Street and located the alleged offender, and staff told him he was under arrest,” Kaitaia Response Manager, Senior Sergeant Richard Garton says.
The man fled on foot through the Kaitaia CBD.
Senior Sergeant Garton says Police secured the dogs and gave pursuit on foot.
“One of our staff caught up with the man and was in the process of taking him into custody when he has been struck to the head.”
By this time, backup was on scene and additional Police staff were required to restrain the man who continued to resist.
The 38-year-old man was taken into custody.
He was due to appear in the Kaitaia District Court on Monday, charged with assaults with intent to injure – first responder, escapes from Police custody, resisting Police and ill-treatment of an animal and two counts of burglary.
“Our officer is doing okay, after being checked over at hospital on Saturday and has been cleared to return to work. We’re pleased he was not seriously injured as a result,” Senior Sergeant Garton says.
“Violence will not be tolerated in our communities or when it is directed to our staff.”
