Police were called to the scene of the crash at 5am on Wednesday. Photo: 123RF
A man in his 30s is facing multiple charges after an early morning crime spree in Shannon involving two stolen Holdens, a crash, a gun and a stand-off at a sleepout with the Armed Offenders Squad.
Senior Sergeant Sam Gilpin of the Horowhenua Police said they were called to the scene of a crash involving a truck and a stolen Holden just after 5am on Wednesday.
"While conducting patrols for the Holden's driver, who had fled the scene, another stolen Holden was seen on Stafford Street and refused to stop for police," he said in a statement.
"The second Holden was pursued a short distance before the driver fled on foot along Roach Avenue and through several properties, to an address on Stout Street."
During the pursuit, the man allegedly dumped a firearm, which was later found by a member of the public.
The driver took refuge in a sleepout at a property on Stout Street, at which point the Armed Offenders Squad was deployed.
Following negotiations, the man came out of the sleepout and was arrested "without incident" about 7.30am.
A 35-year-old man appeared in the Levin District Court on Thursday charged with two counts of taking a motor vehicle.
He was also charged with failing to stop, driving in a dangerous manner, driving while disqualified, two counts of being unlawfully in a building, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of methamphetamine and utensils and assault on a person in a family relationship.
He has been remanded in custody to reappear on 7 May.
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