A man has been arrested in central Auckland after police located him carrying a samurai sword following reports of a possible firearm.
Police were alerted just before 4pm to information that a person was believed to be carrying a gun in the Upper Queen Street area. Armed police units were immediately deployed and carried out enquiries, however officers were unable to confirm the presence of a firearm.
Inspector Danny Meade said police camera operators played a key role in the response, locating and tracking the man as he walked along Vincent Street a short time later. Police units quickly moved in and took the man into custody without incident.
During the arrest, officers seized a samurai sword that had been wrapped in a jacket and was being carried by the man. He remains in police custody and is expected to face charges related to possession of an offensive weapon.
Meade said there is no information to suggest the sword was brandished or used to threaten members of the public.
Image credit: Krys Amon
