Arrest Made in Connection to January Shooting
Police in Palmerston North, New Zealand, have arrested and charged a 33-year-old man in connection with a shooting incident that took place earlier this month. The arrest on Tuesday, January 27, followed a police pursuit involving a stolen vehicle, culminating in the man's apprehension after he attempted to flee on foot.
The shooting, which left one person critically injured, occurred on January 12 at Marriner Reserve in Highbury, Palmerston North. Authorities had been conducting extensive inquiries to identify a person of interest in the matter, including appealing to the public for CCTV footage.
Dramatic Pursuit and Apprehension
The arrest unfolded on Tuesday, January 27, when police, conducting area inquiries following a report of a stolen vehicle from Roslyn, spotted the car on Featherston Street around 12:00 PM. Officers successfully deployed road spikes, also known as deflation devices, on Railway Road around 12:30 PM, bringing the vehicle to a stop on Alexander Street.
The driver, identified as a person of interest in the Marriner Reserve shooting, then fled on foot. An extensive search operation ensued, with police locating and arresting the man around 5:00 PM. During the incident, a firearm was reportedly seized from the abandoned vehicle.
Charges Laid and Court Appearance
The 33-year-old man faces a range of charges. In relation to the January 12 shooting, he has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm with a firearm. Additionally, he faces several charges stemming from the events of his arrest, including:
- Two counts of unlawfully taking (referring to the stolen vehicle)
- Unlawful possession of a firearm
- Failing to stop for police
- Dangerous driving
- Driving while disqualified
He was scheduled to appear in the Palmerston North District Court on Thursday, January 28.
Police Commend Persistence
Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Thompson praised the efforts of the police staff involved. 'Yesterday's arrest was a great result for our community,' he stated. Thompson further commented on the suspect's determination to evade capture, saying, 'It was clear from yesterday's events that this man was very motivated to remain at large, and that he was not going to stop until he was arrested. However, Police staff's persistence and patience paid off, and we are now able to hold him to account.'
5 Comments
Katchuka
Persistence paid off! Our community is safer with this arrest.
Africa
It's reassuring to see the police follow through on such a serious incident, but the charges listed seem to focus more on the pursuit than the initial shooting. Let's hope justice is fully served for the victim.
Coccinella
Finally, some justice for the victim. Great job apprehending him!
ZmeeLove
Huge relief for the community. Thank you, officers!
Habibi
This arrest is good news for community safety in the short term, but it highlights the ongoing struggle with violent crime in our cities. More resources are clearly needed to tackle these systemic issues.