A 40-year-old man has been arrested following a firearms incident in Waihi overnight, after allegedly threatening a person and discharging a weapon.
Police were called to a Rosemont Road address about 8.55pm, where it was reported a man had threatened another person with a firearm. Initial enquiries suggest the firearm had already been discharged earlier, around 8pm.
Waikato District Commander Scott Gemmell said officers set up a cordon around the area as a precaution on arrival.
During the incident, the alleged offender discharged a firearm toward a vehicle within the cordon. Police have spoken with the occupant, and no injuries were reported.
Armed police, including the Armed Offenders Squad, responded to the scene while the Police Negotiation Team engaged with the man.
He was taken into custody at around 12.10am, bringing the incident to a peaceful conclusion.
“I want to commend our attending staff on their response to this incident, negotiating a tricky situation to get a peaceful resolution,” Superintendent Gemmell said.
Cordons have since been lifted and Rosemont Road has reopened, though residents can expect an increased police presence as enquiries continue.
“We understand these incidents can be distressing to those within our community and we thank them for their cooperation and understanding while this incident unfolded,” he said.
The man is due to appear in Hamilton District Court on Monday, facing charges including unlawful possession of a prohibited firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of a cannabis plant.
