Police have arrested a 20-year-old man after a firearm was discharged near a busy swimming spot on Kauaeranga Valley Road in Thames on Saturday evening.
Officers were called to the area around 5pm after reports that a man had threatened members of the public and fired a shot into the air. Detective Sergeant Mark Leathem said the offender allegedly threw the weapon into nearby bushes before leaving the scene in a vehicle with another person.
The police Eagle helicopter was deployed, locating the vehicle shortly afterward. Both occupants were stopped and arrested, and the discarded firearm was recovered from the original location.
The man believed to have fired the weapon is scheduled to appear in Hamilton District Court on Monday facing charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and discharging a firearm to intimidate.
Police are appealing for further information from anyone who witnessed the incident. Information can be provided online or via the 105 phone service, quoting reference 251129/4740.
